Mexican Embassy Honors Garifuna Culture

Every year, the Mexican Embassy through its Institute of Culture celebrates Garifuna Settlement Day along with the local Garifuna communities in Belize. In 2016, an exhibition by Pen Cayetano, entitled Cultural Heritage, was hosted at the Institute on Newtown Barracks in Belize City. This year, however, the Mexican Embassy, under the direction of its new Cultural Attaché Diego Sapien Muñoz, is partnering with the Luba Garifuna Cultural Museum for a night filled with drumming and full on displays of Garifuna foods, clothing and artifacts. Muñoz explained to News Five, why all Belizeans are invited to the free event which started moments ago.

Diego Sapien Muñoz

Diego Sapien Muñoz, Cultural Attaché, Mexican Embassy

“This year, we contacted the Luba Garifuna Museum that is right by Mahogany Street with Professor Sebastian Cayetano and he was happy to help us celebrate the Garifuna Settlement Day this year.”

Duane Moody

“Talk to us about the activities that you will have tonight at the opening?”

Diego Sapien Muñoz

“Well first we are going to have drumming, percussion group, and then we are going to have a small exhibition about some Garifuna objects that Mister Cayetano was helpful with lending us the objects from the museum. And then we are going to have Garifuna food and drinks for everybody to enjoy.”

Duane Moody

“Now sir, how important is this in terms of what the Mexican institute is doing—and as the Cultural Attaché—in terms of bridging what both countries have. We know in the past it is really the Mayan heritage that is shared among both countries. How important is this?”

Diego Sapien Muñoz

“Well it’s has been a policy from the Foreign Affairs Ministry to do those bridges; to  work with local artists also; with Pen Cayetano…we are going to work with some artists from the Streets Art Festival. We also work with the cultural institutions. With NICH, we just had a film at the Belize International Film Festival; two Mexican films showcased at the Belize International Film Festival. So we always try to join forces with cultural institutions in Belize.”

The exhibition remains open for one week.