November nineteenth, means different things to different people. For many it is simply a chance to enjoy good rum, food and fine tune dancing skills. But for others it is an opportunity to see history come to life with the reenactment of the Garifuna people’s arrival on the shores of Belize. As Janelle Chanona found […]
Today students at the University College of Belize took a little time off from class to join in the Garifuna Settlement Day Celebrations, The students held a cultural day to learn more about the Garifuna language, food and clothing. The activity was planned by UCB’s Southern Students Association. Gertrude Joseph “Is to bring the Garifuna […]
The Protected Areas Conservation Trust, PACT, has a new Executive Director. Valerie Woods, former Director of Tourism, and recently appointed permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Information takes over the directorship of PACT on December first. In a press release this evening, Woods said that while invaluable experience could be gained from being […]
They’re back from their performance at Festival of the Caribbean ’99 in Cancun, Mexico. But while the children pleased the audience, the Pantastick Steel Band Orchestra, and their parents weren’t too pleased with the trip. In a press release today, the Belize Arts Council said while Grace Primary students captivated their audiences, they weren’t treated […]
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit ended today in Durban, South Africa with fifty-two countries, including Belize, promising to take steps to eliminate poverty and use the forces of globalization for the advancement of their people. The summit, which marked the fiftieth anniversary of the Commonwealth, included a retreat in which the leaders drafted the […]
Garifuna music is flooding the airwaves in the days leading up to Garifuna Settlement Day this Friday, but images of Garifuna life in the old days are being featured in an exhibit at the House of Culture. The works of Benjamin Nicholas fondly recall his boyhood in Toledo while Pen Cayetano’s paintings depict Garifuna life […]
Garifuna Settlement Day activities kicked off in Dangriga last Friday with a tribute to Thomas Vincent Ramos. The event at the Alejo Beni Park honored Ramos forty-four years after his death for his efforts to improve the social and economic conditions of his people. Chairwoman of the Garifuna Council Dangriga branch Sylvia Flores says the […]
A former Miss Garifuna, Julia Martinez has taken the Miss Garifuna Cultural Pageant to the cayes. On Saturday, San Pedro will have its first competition and five young ladies will be demonstrating their ability to speak Garifuna, dance traditional dances and talk about their culture. The young women are Elsie Soriano, Lucy Vasquez, Amancia Martinez, […]
For the first time since his death forty-four years ago, a Garifuna leader was honored today in Dangriga. The ceremony at the Alejo Beni Park paid tribute to Thomas Vincent Ramos, a community activist who promoted programs to improve the social and economic conditions of his people. Chairwoman of the Garifuna Council Dangriga branch Sylvia […]
For the children of St. Ignatius Middle School, Social Studies has taken on a whole new meaning. They have the privilege of learning how to talk Garifuna, as well as learn about traditional dances and food. Their teacher, Garry Baltazar, was unemployed up until a week ago, when he approached the principal about teaching a […]
The Ugundani Dance Company invites you to their fifth annual dance show entitled, “Gudemein”. This year the presentation is dedicated to Garifuna leader Joseph Chatoyer who was assassinated on March fourteenth, 1795. The show will be based on two hundred and four years of struggle since Chatoyer’s death. The twenty members of Ugundani will present […]
With Garifuna Settlement Day only eight days away, Garifuna communities all over Belize are inviting Belizeans to celebrate. On Wednesday night a Thanksgiving Mass was held at St. Martin De Porres Church. As Janelle Chanona found out it was not only a time to count blessings, but a time to bring the young people into […]
Bad weather in August may have prevented Grace Primary School’s steel band from participating in the Latin American Cultural Festival in Mexico, but they won’t be disappointed a second time. Thirty members of the band, their principal Gloria Edwards and Edith Gahona of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs left today for Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico […]
While the Pantasticks give festival goers in Cancun a taste of Belizean rhythm, musical ambassador for Punta Rock Andy Palacio is among the Caribbean artists featured on the CD from Putumayo World Music. Palacio’s recording of the song “Nabi” written by Garifuna composer Paul “Nabor” Santino, is included on the album “Caribe! Caribe!”. Artists such […]
Prime Minister Said Musa will be in South Africa next week for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The summit, in the city of Durban, will focus on how the Commonwealth can make globalization people-centered, and use it to improve the living conditions of people from all walks of life. Accompanying the Prime Minister is […]
She surprised organizers by wanting to enter the contest at the tender age of eleven, but it was no surprise to the audience that little Nirise Martinez took the title. The standard six student from Georgetown became the new Miss Garifuna Saturday night at the City Centre. Organizers tell News Five despite the rainy weather […]
In other news from the capital, the Belize Cuba Mixed Commission ended its two-day session this afternoon. The members made their recommendations for continued technical assistance to the Prime Minister. He says Belize’s relations with Cuba, although relatively new, have been fruitful. Said Musa, Prime Minister “The level of economic and technical cooperation between the […]
Although Garifuna Settlement Day isn’t until the nineteenth, the entire month of November is starting to be associated with the holiday and all things Garifuna. This week contestants for the Miss Garifuna Pageant began arriving in Belize City and getting ready for the big event Saturday Night. News Five’s Jacqueline Woods had a chance to […]
The Belize-Cuba Mixed Commission is meeting in Belmopan over the next two days for talks on technical cooperation programs. Today’s discussion included a review of projects in health, education, housing, agriculture, trade and tourism. Ambassador to Cuba Amalia Mai told News Five there was excellent participation from the various ministry personnel and areas of further […]
Terryl Godoy, Belize’s well-known street artist is back home after touring Mexico, Germany, London and Spain. Godoy, who called his trip, the Sweet and Sour Tour because while most of the trip went smoothly there were some rough moments, left Belize in August. According to the twenty-nine year old artist, the purpose of the trip […]
The Museum of Belize may still be a work in progress, but one family has already made their dream of opening a museum a reality. Sebastian and Isabelle Cayetano and their sons invite you to visit the Garifuna Cultural and Resource Center on Fern Lane. Although the official opening is tomorrow, News Five got a […]
For a good number of Belizean wives and girlfriends Tuesday night marked the beginning of an extended period of mourning. The reason? The opening of the U.S. professional basketball season will make them, in practical terms, widows for the next seven or so months. But what may make this season a little different from its […]
The World Trade Organization has invited a number of countries without permanent representation in Geneva, Switzerland to attend a “Geneva Week” in preparation for the Seattle, Washington Ministerial Conference. Belize is represented by Foreign Service Officer Jose Alpuche and Minister Counselor Alexis Rosado. They join thirty-six WTO members and observers in examining available technical assistance […]
The forensic aspect of fighting crime in Belize has gotten more ammunition. Reynold Budnah has returned to Belize with a Master’s Degree in forensic science from King’s College in London. Budnah completed his postgraduate work and has already begun working with Belize’s forensic services. But before any advanced methods can be put in place, the […]
While Americans and an increasing number of Belizeans celebrate All Hallow’s Eve or Halloween on October thirty-first, throughout Latin America the spirits of the departed are remembered on El Dia Del Los Muertos, or the “Day of the Dead” on November first and second. Today the Embassy of Mexico and the Institute of Cooperation and […]
