Ms. Yurumein pageant looks for Garifunaduo
We’ve looked at festivities involving Tourism Week, not to mention the international dance festival now underway…but in a few days time Garifuna Settlement Day will be upon us, and today News 5’s Marion Ali got a preview of one event you won’t want to miss.
Marion Ali, Reporting
In the lead-up to the November nineteenth celebrations, there will be no shortage of dancing and singing. But the ladies practicing their moves today are doing so for a special reason. On Saturday night, they’ll compete for the title of Ms. Yurumein. If you’re not familiar with the pageant, think of it as the more mature version of Miss Garifuna. According to promoter, Sebastian Cayetano, the deeper purpose of the entertainment is cultural preservation.
Sebastian Cayetano, Pageant Promoter
“There’s a wavering of the culture, especially the language. And I would say that Garinagu are at a crossroads. Some of our children are confused, in the sense that some would want to identify with Garifuna, others don’t want to identify as Garinagu.”
And for Cayetano, that possibility is unthinkable, hence the concept of a pageant that helps to bridge the generation gap.
Sebastian Cayetano
“It’s a role model for the children and youths as well. Because when they see their mothers, grandmothers on stage, they one day would wish to be in that capacity. And we have some young children and youths practicing for the day when they too will one day walk on the stage and do their part.”
As for the proud ladies who’ve been preparing for the past two months, they share a same common perspective.
Josephine Rhaburn, Contestant
“Our ancestors have held up our culture, our language, and our history. (speaks in Garifuna) Because two hundred years is not today, it’s many years ago, and we feel proud that they were so strong to hold over so that we could be here today to share it with other ethnic groups.”
Linda Augustine, Contestant
“If I win, I know the people will expect a lot from me, but I will always talk to them and encourage them to be like us.”
Marion Ali
“In what way?”
Linda Augustine
“Well, not to throw our culture. Mek wi continue on with it so that we could show it to the kids so they can continue with it too.”
Margaret Buckley, Contestant
“This is my message to the younger people, to follow up our footsteps. Don’t be ashamed of your culture, because Garifuna is very important for us all.”
Thelma Ariola, Contestant
“I would encourage them to know more about their culture, because our culture is very rich and we don’t want to lose it. So I think it’s very important that we continue training our younger children.”
For these ladies, while winning the title would be welcomed, it’s not nearly as important as maintaining and strengthening a proud tradition. Marion Ali for News 5.
The other two contestants not shown in the story are Agnes Gonzalez and Marie Casimiro. The pageant kicks off at eight Saturday night at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall. In case you were wondering, Yurumein is the Garifuna name for the island of St. Vincent, ancestral homeland of the Garinagu.
