7 News Belize

Settlement Day In Hopkins And Dangriga
posted (November 20, 2012)
Right now, many citizens around the country are probably recovering from the major partying which took place down south, which started from as early as Friday night.

7News travelled to the Village of Hopkins to observe first-hand what the festivities are like.

Daniel Ortiz found out more yesterday:

Daniel Ortiz reporting
Our plan to immerse ourselves in the Garifuna Settlement Day Celebrations started in the historic village of Hopkins.

The usual flow of the celebrations is such that the reenactment is usually scheduled for 6 a.m. Whether is due to paranda artist Aurelio Martinez's concert, or some other unforeseen event, the re-enactment didn't start until 2 1/2 hours past its scheduled time.

But tardiness aside, the yurumei was as symbolic as it should be.

The Garinagu's first few attempts to convince the Governor to grant asylum would fail. Their persistence not only granted them a new home free from war and slavery, but also a permanent status in the Belizean culture.

Francis Nunez - Ceremony Participant
"I am the director. This morning with my fellow brothers and sisters - I tell them what to do, show them to look very good, so that when we come on the shore that people will rescue us. If they try to take us away from our land, then we go. If they try to bring us on their land then are satisfy with that; praise God that they receive us when we came to the shore."

And every step of their procession to the shore is documented by a gaggle of photographers he says the cameras don't cheapen the ceremony.

Francis Nunez - Ceremony Participant
"I will be honest with you - it's really perfect. People from all over the world can come and see what we are capable with our culture here in Belize, in Hopkins."

We then moved on to the culture capital, Dangriga, where the festivities were ordained by a formal ceremony, followed by a parade through the town's main streets, which could rival Belize City's Carnival day.

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