WATINA: Gúnfuli Waméi Hayumahan /Wayunagu/

Tomorrow when the rolling thunder of the drums starts echoing in the early hours of the morning, many Belizeans will once again come together to commemorate the 1804 arrival of the first Garifuna settlers to Belize.  This ceremony or re-enactment will occur wherever there is a community of Garifuna in Belize and as usual will be a fusion of pageantry, culture, spirituality and some decadence.

In the south of Belize, where large Garifuna communities exist, the significance of Garifuna Settlement Day cannot be understated. For some time now these communities have been engaging in activities and events to mark the occasion, which for some carries as much significance as Independence Day.  No other culture in Belize marks such an occasion in such form and style; in fact no ethnic group in Belize other than the Garinagu have their own anthem, which is called: “Hageira Libretian”

In many ways, Garifuna culture and the celebration of Garifuna Settlement Day, which was started in 1943 but became a national holiday in 1977, has come to signify more than just their arrival to Belizean soil, it has come to represent Belizean culture on a whole.  In every Roman Catholic parish in Belize this time of year Garifuna Settlement Day is marked by a special liturgy or religious ceremony, normally said in Garifuna and including songs and prayers in the language.  It is no surprise to find any Belizean child singing the Our Father (Baba) in Garifuna, something many schools have taken to teaching their children.

Everyday Garifuna words like “sush” (gossip) and “ayo” (goodbye) has become a common part of everyday language for many Belizeans, so much so that few Belizeans even bother to use the word gossip anymore.  As far as food is concerned, sere and hudut can be found on any Belizean table no matter the ethnicity. Every Belizean dance can speak of some aspect of Garifuna culture.

With such richness and diversity, it is hard to understand why there is a lingering fear that this could all be lost.  The obvious reason for this fear is because today too few of our Garifuna children are learning the language, practicing the lifestyle and preserving the core values of the culture.  Also, too few parents have or make the time to ensure that their children understand the importance of preserving these essentials of their culture.  Today it comes as no surprise to find many young Garinagu Belizeans unable to communicate fluently in their language.  This is not true of young Maya or Creoles, who speak their language in addition to speaking Creole.  As for the Mestizo population, there is a definite resurgence in the Spanish language.  Today 44 percent of all Belizeans consider Spanish their first language and more and more non Hispanic Belizeans are learning to speak Spanish.  Yet the struggle to preserve the Grifuna language continues and more and more Garifuna children are growing up unable to speak Garifuna fluently.  The bright spot in all this however, is that the matter has been recognized and prominent Garifuna personalities including the late Andy Palacio have made significant efforts to alert everyone that there is a need to preserve Garifuna culture.

In 1981 when UNESCO  proclaimed that Garifuna Language, Music and Dance were a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, they were in many ways insisting that everyone come together to preserve this culture, not only for the Garifuna people, but for all of humanity.  The significance of the language, dance and music of the Garifuna people in so many ways transcends this singular culture and is very much in harmony with other cultures in the region.

To this end, what the Garinagu has done for Belize is more than what is expressed through some of the more popular Punta songs and in the usual merriment of special occasions.  Clearly the Garifuna who landed on our shores over two centuries ago managed to build a society that understood that their acceptance and their survival was dependent upon their full integration into the life of this nation.  In many ways, earlier generations of Garinagu cradled this tiny nation in their arms, building Belize, making it their own and in return giving to it every bit of themselves. It was reciprocated for here in Belize the Garifuna people and their culture flourish.

It is fitting that we honour such sacrifice and contribution, for indeed the Garifuna of Belize have made our nation stronger and better and for this we must all celebrate and honour the many contributions of our Garifuna Belizeans.

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