How You Can Spend the 19th in Belize City

Sebastian Cayetano

Festivities in commemoration of Garifuna Settlement Day have begun across the country.  In Belize City, there is a full itinerary of events leading up to the Nineteenth of November.  The rolling and booming bass of Garifuna drums can be heard along Mahogany Street, as well as in other neighborhoods in Belize City.  The party culminates on Saturday morning with a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Martin’s Church.  Earlier today, News Five spoke with Garifuna elder Sebastian Cayetano who gave shared a schedule of the upcoming activities.

Sebastian Cayetano, Garifuna Activist

“We begin with our theme, our powerful theme.  It says Garifuna: risiti, pantati, gabafuti inurahouwamemela.  Meaning, Garifuna: Rich, Proud and Powerful.  Let us continue to preserve the culture.  Now today, was and is Garifuna Awareness Day.  Today, many and most Garinagu should come out wearing their Garifuna attire.  We have other colors but we pattern our colors off the Garifuna flag of black, white and yellow.  We also ask Belizeans to join us as a mark of solidarity, you know, in wearing something Garifuna for today.  Okay, tonight at six o’clock is the tribute to Thomas Vincent Ramos Award at the Mexican Institute of Culture beginning at about six this evening.  Then tomorrow, all night festivities, drumming and Larubeya Band at BTL Park beginning at nine pm.  That’s tomorrow and the band will be there, will be drumming there all night until Saturday morning.  Saturday morning, the Yurumein goes out.  That’s the re-enactment and this will take place at seven o’clock at Belcan Bridge.  The Belize City Mayor Bradley will be there to welcome our people.  After that a parade will follow to St. Queen 2016/2017.”