This spirited phrase seems to call out from the depths of the rhythmic drums. As dancers twirl in brightly decorated dresses, as singers tell their stories through song and musicians shake gourds in harmony with drums, you can almost feel how this act has brought the Garifuna people of Belize together for centuries.
The Garifuna are descendents of Nigerian slaves, brought to the island of San Vicente during the 17th century, and the Carib-Indians with whom they married. Throughout their history they have faced persecution, discrimination and exile, which eventually led to their relocation from San Vicente to Belize. Even during hardships, however, they found peace, celebration and a sense of unity through song and dance.
The drum is the most important instrument in Garifuna music and relies heavily on call and response patterns. Classically, one drummer improvises on the primera or heart drum, a second on the shadow drum, and a steady third on the bass-line. Drums are typically carved out of wood and covered with deer or sheepskin. Turtle shells, bottles, and shakers are also used to add diversity and depth to the sound.
Music and dance help to preserve and celebrate the Garifuna culture. Although the Garifuna presence is strong in Belize, there is virtually no documentation of the language, making song a crucial means of its survival. Even today, Garifuna songs and dances have specific functions within society. For example, the song Eremwu Eu is sung by women as they prepare cassava bread, and the Laremuna Wadauman sung by men while working. As for dances, the most popular is the punta, performed at wakes, holidays, and parties. Couples compete to see who can dance the most stylistically and seductively through a variety of hip movements. This may explain why missionaries in the 18th Century sought to discourage its practice!
A more evolved style of Garifuna music, Punta rock, was created in 1978 by musician Pen Cayetano and incorporates salsa, reggae, rap and hip-hop elements. It has gained international recognition and popularity and can be heard on the radio or seen in concert on satellite TV throughout the world. However, it has led some people to fear the disappearance of authentic Garifuna music because it incorporates electric instruments. Fortunately, actions are being taken by the local governments to preserve the Garifuna culture and to document the language.
If you find yourself on a trip to Belize and happen upon a Garifuna music circle, turn to a friend, say ¡babinaha numa! and dance to the celebrated tune of the Garifuna!
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.