Garinagu community gear up for Settlement Day

On this, the eve of Garifuna Settlement Day, intensive preparations continue for the long list of cultural activities planned for tonight and tomorrow. And just in case you’re one of those people who won’t be able to make the trek to Dangriga and other points south, the Belize City branch of the National Garifuna Council says there’ll be plenty to do right here. According to Vice President Tim Palacio, the party starts 7:00 tonight.

Tim Palacio, V.P., Belize City Nat’l Garifuna Council

“We close off B.T.L. Park and we provide a Garifuna cultural experience that is geared towards all the multicultural groups in Belize City. So what we have on stage is going to be the Larubeya and their exciting cultural original vibes. We also have the John cunu dancers; we will be accompanied by the Ugudani dance group. This is going to be followed by the best performances of the International Dance Festival that will be on our stage tonight. And then we top it off with the Paranderos, Andy Palacio and Paul Nabor. So we really have a fun filled day, packed agenda. When that is done, and that is till da mawning, we go to the re-enactment…We will have a huge re-enactment, bigger than ever at the Bellevue pier, the mayor is going to be there to receive us. That is going to be followed by a parade to the Holy Redeemer Church. And we have a very vibrant, spirit-filled mass with the Garifuna Choir in full regalia. And then we parade to the B.T.L. Park.”

The cover charge for the event is one dollar. The courses taught in Garifuna will be free. This year marks the two hundred year anniversary of the Garinagu in Belize, and is being celebrated under the theme: Two Hundred Years — Celebrating our Achievements and Meeting the New Challenges.