Belizeans Prepare to Say Goodbye to Paul Nabor

Paul Nabor’s daughter, Marie, arrived in Punta Gorda today via Guatemala so funeral arrangements for the Paranda great will be finalized over the weekend when a delegation led by representatives of the National Institute of Culture and History will meet with family members in Punta Gorda.  The Government of Belize has extended an official funeral for Paul Nabor which will be held sometime in early next week.  Meanwhile, a tribute concert featuring Garifuna artists is also being organized to coincide with a wake to be held the night before his burial.  Earlier today, I outlined the activities leading up to Nabi’s funeral.

Shari Williams, Public Relations Coordinator, NICH

“We at the National Institute of Culture and History we’ve worked over the years several times with Paul Nabor both national and internationally to promote his music.  Of course, we along with all of Belize we are very saddened by his passing.  We know his health was declining but nevertheless we can never prepare for such an icon leaving.  We’ve decided to host a tribute in his honor, we’ve been getting a lot of requests from several artists wanting to put something together in his honor.  And so we have a delegation going down to PG tomorrow, it comprises of representatives from NICH , from the Protocol Office, the Belize Defense Force.  They are meeting with his immediate family and representatives of his family to really decide on funeral arrangements, as well as details for the tribute.  We’re asking artists, especially artists from the Garifuna community who would like to take part in this tribute to contact a representative from NICH, preferably Ms. Karen Vernon at the Bliss, to indicate their want to be a part of this special tribute.”

Isani Cayetano

Shari Williams

“Is this primarily geared at Paranderos or is this wider across the Garifuna community in terms of the different genres of music?”

Shari Williams

“Well we’re leaving it open to anybody who feels the need to want to give back, who want to showcase, who want to pay homage to such an icon leaving us.  Besides the tribute, tentatively we want to do something beginning on Sunday night at the Central Park in Punta Gorda.  So every night leading up to the day of his burial we want to do something in Central Park so then we are opening it up to the community down there, it could be school children, members of the artist community who want to go on stage and pay special tribute and we are inviting people from the community as well to come out to the Central Park.  Again it’s tentatively but we are hoping to begin on Sunday night.”