Garifuna Settlement Day – November 19

Garifuna Settlement Day is a national holiday celebrated on November 19 in Belize and other parts of Central America. It commemorates the arrival of the Garifuna people, descendants of Maroons, who were exiled from St. Vincent to Honduras in 1797. This important holiday celebrates the rich culture and heritage of the Garifuna people and their contributions to Belizean society.

On November 19, 1802, the first Garifuna people landed in Belize, bringing with them their vibrant traditions, music, dance, and language. They settled in the villages of Dangriga, Seine Bight, Punta Gorda, Barranco, and other communities along the coast, and have since become an integral part of Belizean culture.

The celebrations begin at midnight on November 18, with drumming and dancing, a tradition known as “hari garifuna”. This is followed by a reenactment of the arrival of the first Garifuna people, usually at dawn on November 19. The day is filled with traditional music, dances, parades, and delicious food, such as hudut, a fish and coconut-based stew, and cassava bread, a staple of the Garifuna diet.

Schools and businesses are closed on this day, and many families gather together to celebrate their heritage. The flag of Belize is raised to honor the Garifuna people and recognize their important contributions to the country.

Growing up, I always looked forward to Garifuna Settlement Day celebrations. I remember dancing to the energetic beats of the drums and watching as the elders passed down their traditional knowledge to the younger generations. It was a time to embrace our culture and to show pride in our roots.

Today, Garifuna Settlement Day has expanded beyond Belize’s borders and is celebrated in other countries with a significant Garifuna population, including Honduras, Guatemala, and parts of the United States. It is a chance for all to come together and celebrate the resilience and strength of the Garifuna people.

Whether you are of Garifuna descent or not, I invite you to join in on the celebrations and learn more about this vibrant culture and its customs. Let us honor those who came before us and paved the way for future generations. Yurumein, we celebrate you!

November 19 is a national holiday in Belize, commemorating the arrival of the Garifuna people in 1802.

Garifuna people are descendants of Maroons, who were exiled from St. Vincent to Honduras in 1797.

Garifuna Settlement Day celebrates the rich culture and heritage of the Garifuna people.

The first Garifuna people landed in Belize on November 19, 1802.

The celebrations include drumming, dancing, parades, and traditional food.

Schools and businesses are closed on Garifuna Settlement Day.

Garifuna Settlement Day is not only celebrated in Belize, but also in other countries with a significant Garifuna population.

It is a chance for all to come together and celebrate the resilience and strength of the Garifuna people.

Whether you are of Garifuna descent or not, I invite you to join in on the celebrations and learn more about this vibrant culture and its customs.

#GarifunaSettlementDay #BelizeanCulture #Heritage #Celebration