Get ready to celebrate Belize's amazing cultural diversity by joining us for Garifuna Settlement Day in November.
Dance, Dine and Party All Week
Garifuna Settlement Day is a week-long celebration of the Garifuna people's arrival in Belize. This is one of Belize's largest and most important celebrations. It pays tribute to a proud, traditional culture that has contributed enormously to Belize's past and present.
Take part in the colorful parades and watch traditional Jankunu dancers moving to the beat of rhythmic, evocative Garifuna music. Sample Garifuna dishes like serre, a fish stew cooked in coconut milk, hudut or fried plantains, and other Belizean delicacies.
Visit Garifuna Communities
Spend time in the Garifuna communities of Hopkins, Dangriga and Seine Bight. While you're here, visit the Gulisi Garifuna Museum in Dangriga to learn all about the Garifuna's fascinating history.
Get to Know the Garifuna
The Garifuna people descended from a group of Africans who intermingled with indigenous people of the Caribbean after a sinking slave ship in 1653. Over the next century and a half, the Garifuna fought fiercely for their independence. They were forced to flee several times until they found permanent homes along the coastlines of Honduras, Guatemala and Belize.
They came ashore in November 1809 and have been a welcome, integral part of Belize's culture ever since.
The Garifuna have developed a distinct Afro-Caribbean style of music, dance, food and language. The Garifuna musical group "The Garifuna Collective" has won dozens of music awards and has been ranked the top world music group in the world.
A Lasting Legacy
The Garifuna people have forged a lasting legacy from their history of slavery and dispossession. They built a thriving community where they've preserved their language, customs and culture for centuries. UNESCO has listed the Garifuna as a Representative of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
How to Enjoy the Celebrations
- What: Garifuna Settlement Day.
- When: November 19 through November 24, 2019.
- Where: All over Belize, but the largest celebrations will be in traditional Garifuna communities like Dangriga, Hopkins, Punta Gorda and Seine Bight.
Let Untame Belize Handle Your Transportation
If you want to experience all the excitement of Garifuna Settlement Day, plan your trip with the help of Belize's most exciting tour company. Contact Untame Belize for the best shuttle and transportation options in Belize.
