Comments on: The Garifuna World in Belize

By: Windel Vernon

Windel Vernon — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 05:04:01 +0000

To Bill, I am a native Beliean and based on a story from my Grandfather, whom I didn’t meet until I was about 17yrs of age, Caribs, now Garifunas, were first settled in an area on the south side of Belize, known as Yarborough, where they remained isolated from the rest of the population because they refused to conform to the British customs. Over time, some of the young people befriended some of the slave descendants who experienced acceptance and rose to form the so called Creole society. Those friendships became bridges and some Caribs joined the Creole population as boatbuilders and other trades men, but the majority of them refused to participate in the towns activities and were marginalized by the British colonizers and eventually relocated to Stann Creek. Of course there were those who stayed behind and eventually changed their names, but for a time were still scorned. The word “Carub” was scornfully used among the Creole population and served to further create social separation. In fact my grandfather insisted that there were many families who moved to the neighboring republic because they were treated so poorly and one such family was his. On the other hand, his brothers family remained in Belize, as did my mother, who lived in Guatemala for a period before returning to Belize and marrying a Creole man. I am just now learning about my proud ancestors, with a mixture of pride and joy for the strength and resiliency that they, the Garifunas, have shown and sadness for the separation I now feel. But I am more saddened for many Belizean families who lost that part of their family history because of the societal stigmatization that their ancestors could not bear and therefore chose to ished their real identities.

By: Belizean icon, Pen Cayetano visits Chaa Creek | Belize Travel Blog

Belizean icon, Pen Cayetano visits Chaa Creek | Belize Travel Blog — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:35:12 +0000

[...] Chaa Creek is proud to offer its last event of the summer – Art Gecko Rules and the Belizean icon, Pen Cayetano‘s work will be featured at the function which is scheduled for Saturday October 29, 2011. Pen Cayetano is a world renowned painter, singer, songwriter, percussionist, guitarist, leading cultural revivalist and ambassador for Belize’s Garinagu. [...]

By: Bill

Bill — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 05:43:35 +0000

I would like some information about Garinagu being banned from living in Belize city upon their acceptance to reside in the country of British Hounduras.

By: Andy Palacio-Watu di video- “WHAT A FIRE” - Belize Culture | Belize Travel Blog

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:31:39 +0000

[...] Click here to learn more about the Garifuna World in Belize. Tags: Andy Palacio, Beliz Garifuna, Belize Culture, belize music Do you like this story? Tweet [...]

By: Garifuna History in Belize | Belize Travel Blog

Garifuna History in Belize | Belize Travel Blog — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 20:30:53 +0000

[...] to learn more, please click here the Garifuna World in Belize. Tags: Belize History, garifuna world in belize Do you like this story? [...]