The Garifuna Language, Dance and Music

　　Proclamation: 2001
Member State(s): Belize; supported by Honduras and Nicaragua
Region: Latin America
Associated themes: Oral traditions and expressions

　　
The Garifuna spread along the Atlantic coast of Central America after being forced to flee Saint Vincent in 1797. They are a population of mixed origin, incorporating elements of the culture of indigenous Caribbean groups and populations of African origin. Today they have communities established in Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Belize. The Garifuna language belongs to the Arawak group of languages and has survived centuries of persecution and linguistic imperialism. It is rich in tales (úraga), which originally served as an activity during wakes or large gatherings. Nowadays, this story-telling art is being lost at the same time as the language is in retreat. There is a very strong link between the Garifuna language and the songs and dances which are associated with it. The melodies bring together African and Amerindian elements and the texts are a veritable store of the history and traditional knowledge of the Garifuna, such as cassava-growing, fishing, canoe-building and the construction of baked mud houses. The dances are generally accompanied by three types of drum and the onlookers mix with the dancers during the ceremonies. There is also a considerable amount of satire in these songs, which is particularly directed at certain forms of behavior.

　　Economic migration, ethnic discrimination and the complete absence of the Garifuna language in the school system in Belize are endangering its survival. The language is still widely spoken but it is now taught in only one village. Consequently, the young no longer have mastery of their language and are no longer aware of their history; this then makes them vulnerable to the influence of the dominant culture.