6 Facts about the Garifuna Culture of Belize

Immerse yourself in the Garifuna Culture of Belize

Staying at Hummingbird Estate Bed & Breakfast gives you the perfect chance to immerse yourself in the rich and vibrant Garifuna Culture of Belize. As our bed & breakfast is located just about 10 minutes outside the Culture Capital of Belize, Dangriga Town which is the largest town in Southern Belize, and the spiritual capital of the country's Garifuna people. As to guide you to explore the Garifuna Culture of Belize better, here are 6 facts about them:

1.) In 2001, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized the Garifuna language, music and dance as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity. This designation means that it is an important culture that should be preserved, promoted and celebrated.

2.) According to Historians, the Garifuna resisted British and French colonialism in the Lesser Antilles and were defeated by the British in 1796. Because of a violent rebellion on St Vincent, the British moved 5000 Garifuna across the Caribbean to the Bay Islands off the north of Honduras. From there, they migrated to the Caribbean coasts of Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize. By 1802 about 150 Garifuna had settled in Stann Creek (present-day Dangriga) area and were engaged in fishing and farming.

3.) The Garifuna are resilient people who have survived many years of extreme hardships and are the only black people in the Americas to have preserved their native Afro-Caribbean culture due to the fact that their ancestors were never slaves. The Garifuna’s deep sense of kinship and participation in community cultural activities have provide them with a sense of solidarity and cultural identity during times of turmoil.

4.) The religion of the Garifuna consists of a mix of Catholicism, African and Indian beliefs. They believe that the departed ancestors mediate between the individual and external world and if a person behaves and performs well, then he will have good fortune. If not, then the harmony that exists in relationships with others and the external world will be disrupted leading to misfortune and illness.  Their spiritualism is expressed through music, dancing and other art forms.

5.) The Garifuna foods consist of fish, chicken, cassava, bananas, and plantains. One of the staples of the diet is cassava. Cassava is made into bread, a drink, a pudding, and even wine! The cassava bread is served with most meals. The process of making the bread is very labor-intensive and takes several days.

Hudut is a very common traditional meal. Hudut consists of fish cooked in a coconut broth (called sere) and served with mashed plantains or yams. Dharasa is the Garifuna version of a tamale made with green bananas. It can be made either sweet or sour. The foods are very labor-intensive and used to be cooked over an open fire hearth. Today, stoves save time, but some families still prefer the taste of the fire hearth.

6.) The Garifuna flag consists of three horizontal stripes of black, white, and yellow, in that order, starting from the top. The flag has been accepted internationally as the flag of the Garifuna Nation and the colors have been used in forums where Garifuna people assert their Garifuna identity. Discover the culture of Belize.

Plan your Vacation?

If you want to know more about 'The Garifuna Culture of Belize' then it's time to plan your vacation. Contact us at  info@hecabanasbandb.com or visit  www.hecabanasbandb.com for assistance. Follow our Bed & Breakfast follow on our social media platforms Instagram and Facebook.