Tomorrow is Garifuna Settlement Day - and in Southern, Central and Western Belize, Belizeans will celebrate the roots and the rhythms of this vibrant culture. In 2014 I travelled to Dangriga to witness the Yurumein Ceremony - which is the re-enactment of the arrival. Now, re-enactments of the arrival are staged all over the country, but the ones in PG and Dangriga are the most celebrated. Two years ago, I found out why:...
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
The history of the Garifuna tells us that they arrived in Belize on November 19th, 1823. 91 years later the re-enactment of the arrival of the ancestors still continues.
With the Garifuna flag hoisted proudly, swaying in the early morning wind, the participants of the YURUMEIN paddled in. Their chants and songs reverberating like the infectious beat of the drums.
Alice Sabal, Onlooker
"We are celebrating our heritage. We are celebrating our music. We are celebrating our language. We are celebrating the way we dress - that's what we are celebrating today and that is what we should be depicting as Garifuna youths today."
It is a grand celebration indeed and the YURUMEIN is only the beginning. As the participants dock, a special communal performance welcomes their arrival. Then there is the procession to the Sacred Heart church for mass.
It has every appearance of a vibrant and flourishing ceremony but there is a nagging undertone: what is the level of youth involvement and more importantly, whether they will carry forward this national celebration.
Indeed, youths flooded the bridge, streets and riversides but are they really out here to embrace their heritage?
Joycelyn Lambey Cayetano. Onlooker
"That's the scary part because yes they are all here in abundance, but nevertheless it's more for a party setting because the youth really need to galvanize to carry the legacy because the Garinagu people have a rich culture that has been suppress lately for whatever reason. I don't know why the kids are not engaging."
Rita Bennett, Onlooker
"Sometimes I think it's going to diminish getting dress with the culture."
And there are some youths who are interested in connecting with their culture and heritage. That appreciation was sparked from a very early age.
Imani Palacio, Participant
"Well I fir sure enjoy it and every year I go, so from primary school enjoy doing it. Every year we do tis just to show love for our ancestors."
Trevan Castillo, Participant
"I choose to be a part of Yurumei because my ancestors did it and so I just want to take up that habit of doing it because I don't want my culture to be lost. I want to uplift my culture and be in it."
That outlook on their identity was inspired by their parents.
Alice Sabal, Imani's Mother
"It's been easy because we listen to a lot of Garifuna music at home and what the children do is practice the songs. So it becomes much easy for them when they grow older that they can participate in whatever event leading up to the celebration."
Darwin Lino, Drummer
"Keep the culture alive. Spread the culture and do more towards the culture and not wait for 19th November to come and spread the culture. They have to spread it and do it the right way."
So this event is both retrospective and prospective. It is a strong tie to the past but also a link to the future, to instill a lesson of history and perseverance into coming generations. Reporting for 7news, I'm Courtney Weatherburne.
And we close tonight, in that same spirit, looking back to a 2010 acoustic performance from Aurelio Martinez of his classic "Africa". Enjoy, and we hope you have a great Garifuna Settlement Day Holiday.
Join Indira Craig back here on Monday, and I'll see you next Friday.
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