7 News Belize

Funeral For A King
posted (November 3, 2014)
The Official Funeral for the man known as the King of Paranda Paul Nabor was held on Saturday in Punta Gorda town.

Fans and followers from all across the country - as well as the head of state, the leader of the opposition and a government minister converged on PG Town for the event. But, this weekend, it was more than just a funeral; it was as also a celebration of the music man's life with a star studded tribute concert.

We start first with the Official Funeral, which was carried live on Channel 7. In case you missed, it, we put together a few important bits together. Daniel Ortiz has that story:

Daniel Ortiz reporting
Paul Nabor's casket arrived at the Saint Peter Claver Church at around 10:20 on Saturday, delivered by BDF Soldiers.

Inside, the funeral-goers waited patiently for a chance to get a view of him.Government and State Officials joined the rest of his family and friends today:

Monica Jane Marie Martinez - Daughter of Deceased
"I thank each and every one of you guys that are here in this very difficult moment, it's sad for me; one, I was the only child, one father, one child and one mother. I lost my mother to breast cancer, now I lost my father. I have children, but it's not the same. I still need each and every one of you."

And each and every person in attendance joined her in participation for the formal ceremony and religious mass.

Almost 2 hours into the proceedings, the designated speakers reflected on Alfonso Palacio, the man known as Paul Nabor, sharing anecdotes to about his singular character:

Sr. Supt. Robert Mariano - President, National Garifuna Council
"Nabor was a defender of the Garifuna culture and its ritual. He stood for everything Garifuna and was most concern about its survival. His "daburba" was his sanctuary and this man help to heal many."

Yasser Musa - Director, Image Art Factory
"I begin with two episodes at international airports, told to me by Ivan Duran who accompanied Nabi. The first was at the Miami airport; the immigration officer asks Nabor what are you doing here? And Nabi answers if you don't want me here you can send me right back home. In Houston Texas; another officer, this time a woman asks Nabi what do you do? And Nabi answers "I sing" and she says would you sing me a song? He sings the first line of Naguya Nei. I still remember her eyes, she look at me and said can I take him home with me. She had fallen in love with Nabor. Nabi, when you open your arms waves crash into the coast; you knew how to get people happy. Via YouTube I watched you and Andy in Rotterdam dance like a dandy. In Stern Groves, San Francisco, like the howling wolf of the Mississippi delta, like a black Seminole your voice from the first moment you hear it, it penetrates your heart, you knew how to make the people happy."

Aurelio Martinez - Student of the Deceased
"You have to stop here because I want to pee in the hallway. You know Nabi is an older man, but he do best to be the Garifuna culture alive in the international world. We don't have men like him in our history."

Darius Avila - President, Battle Of the Drums Secretariat
"He apparently acquired the name Nabor after he challenge and defeated a boxer whose name was Nabor. Prior to that match, the original Nabor was undefeated, but he was trash so badly by our Alfonso Palacio who at some point had acquired the name of Paul that his friends started to call him Paul Nabor."

Diane Haylock - President, NICH
"Paul Nabor did not aspire for greatness. Indeed he was a gentle, humble, peace loving, cultural protector right to the very end. But greatness came his way by virtue of the human being that he was and Belize is privileged to be able to call him one of the sons of our soil."

And, when all the speakers had their say, the religious rites of the funeral ritual was allowed to finish.

Shortly after that, the BDF loaded the casket unto the official hearse, which took Nabor's body through the streets to his final resting place.

In his final moments above the earth, the State paid it's respect, and Nabor was given a 21 gun salute. After which, the dirt was piled on slowly, like the closing of the curtain on a great musician's final performance.

Yasser Musa - Director, Image Art Factory
"Brado, did I make it? Yes you did Nabi, yes you did."

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