Miss Garifuna Bz. City to be chosen Saturday
Another national holiday is coming up and that means a pageant cannot be far off. Jacqueline Woods has a preview.
Jacqueline Woods
It’s what every pageant says…but this one really is not a popularity nor beauty contest. Rather, the Miss Garifuna Pageant is all about preserving the Garifuna Culture especially among the younger generation.
Enita Castillo, Coordinator, Miss Garifuna Belize City
“We’ve come a long way. I was sharing with the girls that when I was younger I was among the candidates in the first set of contests that we had, and it was a popularity contest; they decided who won by who got the most money. And from then to now, we’ve come a long, long way, and there were some years too that went by when nothing happened. And this is again a continued effort to try to preserve the culture and to keep the young people involved.”
This afternoon, the six contestants socialized at the Tourism Village and even offered some entertainment.
Jacqueline Woods
“What I found interesting is that a number of the contestants in entering the pageant didn’t know how to speak the language fluently.”
Enita Castillo
“What we’ve seen every year is that this usually is a turning point for all of them. Normally, after this first encounter as an effort to speak, they continue. And so every year, we have a clique that starts to really practice the culture and once this experience is over, it continues.”
Carla Flores, 15 year old contestant
“At the first it was hard, but practicing everyday it became more easier.”
Jacqueline Woods
“How are you looking forward to the night of the pageant?”
Carla Flores
“Since I’m been practicing I get to learn my speech and my introduction, I think I’ll do great.”
The contestants have also been practicing their dance steps. It is one of the main qualities on which the ladies will be judged.
Alisha Castillo, 14 year old contestant
“Well dances are very easy because of the Garifuna youth group, and we usually perform a lot when it comes to cultural activities.”
Enita Castillo
“How they dance, because our dances get contaminated as other cultures practice it. It becomes more Belizean…we have Belizean Punta and we have the real Garifuna. And so for this contest, we have to actually change them from the way they do things to do it the way we do it as Garifuna people.”
The contestants say they are not nervous yet about the pageant and hope that in some way they will encourage their peers to become more aware of their culture and be proud of who they are.
Khadyah Castillo, 18 year old Contestant
“I think it represents our people and what we’ve worked so hard to accomplish.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Are you nervous?”
Khadyah Castillo
“No I’m not.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Have you met new friends?”
Khadyah Castillo
“Yes I’ve had, I’ve met a lot of good friends.”
Regina Lewis, 13 year old Contestant
“I decided to participate because I think it’s something very good to show the other young Garifuna youths that they can do what I’m doing. It’s not because they are younger…and they should not be ashamed of their culture either.”
The young ladies have been involved in a number of activities to help them prepare for the pageant. Fifteen year old Carla Roches believes it has helped them to relax and feel more comfortable with each other.
Carla Roches, 15 year old Contestant
“Basically it’s mostly practicing at Gwen Liz, and I don’t remember when, but we went to Chateau Caribbean. This is the second time we’re on an outing.”
Jacqueline Woods
“So what has it been like for you?”
Carla Roches
“Great, because we get to interact with other people that we are not usually around.”
One lady who knows how to capture the judges’ hearts is reigning Miss Garifuna Faye Coleman. Coleman says it has been an honour representing her culture and will continue to inspire others to do the same.
Faye Coleman, Reigning Miss Garifuna
“I’ve been to a lot of cultural and social gatherings. It’s been a pleasure being the queen, and also I’ve been involved in a lot of cultural activities.”
The Miss Garifuna Belize Pageant gets underway at 8:00 p.m. this Saturday at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
Tickets for Miss Garifuna Belize City are on sale at Ferguson Studios, Venus Records and Gwen Lizarraga High for ten dollars adults, five dollars for children.
