Belize would not be the Belize that we know and love if it wasn’t for the many contributions of the Garifuna, and their proud history if one of the most interesting and enduring sagas humanity has known, beginning with a fateful shipwreck off St Vincent’s Island in the Caribbean in the 1600s, when surviving African slaves made it to shore and mixed with the local Arawak, or Carib, population.

Today is a very important holiday in Belize as the entire country takes time out to celebrate one of the most defining moments in our nation’s history – the arrival of the Garifuna people, or Garinagu, to the shores of Belize.

Happy Birthday Belize! Wow, we’re 30 years old today, and that calls for a party.
Now, there’re several must haves for a good party, and let’s check them off…

‘Watu di video’ This video has been release for the first time and is dedicated to both Andy Palacio and Dana Martinez (both deceased). Andy and Dana will always be remembered not only as a Garifuna who loved their culture, but also as Belizean who loved everyone.

Tomorrow, November 19th is Garifuna Settlement day in Belize; festivities are celebrating all over the country but most popular in the south since most of our Garifuna people are situated there. This incredible day was founded in 1941 by Thomas Vincent Ramos and was established a National holiday in 1943.