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Get ready to celebrate the vibrant culture and rich history of the Garifuna people on November 19 for Garifuna Settlement Day! This special day commemorates the arrival of the Garifuna people to Belize in 1832, after being exiled from their homeland. The Garifuna community is known for their unique music, dance, and cuisine that reflects a blend of African, Caribbean, and indigenous influences. It's a time to honor their resilience and contributions to Belizean society. So come join in on the festivities and learn more about this fascinating culture on Garifuna Settlement Day!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1635</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Garifuna Origin</div><div class='timeline-text'>African slaves shipwrecked on St. Vincent, intermixed with the Carib and Arawak natives, creating the Garifuna people.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1796</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Garifuna Exile</div><div class='timeline-text'>After clashing with British colonists, the Garifuna are exiled from St. Vincent to Roatan Island, off the coast of Honduras.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1832</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Garifuna Arrival in Belize</div><div class='timeline-text'>Garifuna people led by Alejo Beni arrive on the coast of Belize and establish a settlement.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1941</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Garifuna Settlement Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>Thomas Vincent Ramos, a Garifuna civil rights activist, inaugurates the first Garifuna Settlement Day in Stann Creek and Toledo.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1977</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Public Holiday Status</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Belizean government declares Garifuna Settlement Day a national public holiday, celebrated annually on November 19.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2001</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>UNESCO Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>Garifuna language, dance, and music are proclaimed a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a traditional dance performance</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Garifuna Settlement Day is known for its vibrant music and dance. Attend a performance by a local Garifuna dance group to experience the culture and celebrate the holiday.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Learn how to cook traditional Garifuna dishes</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take a cooking class or watch online tutorials to learn how to make traditional Garifuna dishes such as hudut, cassava bread, and seafood soup. Share your creations with friends and family to celebrate the holiday.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a Garifuna village</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take a trip to a Garifuna village to immerse yourself in the culture, learn about the history of the holiday, and participate in traditional celebrations such as drumming and singing.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a Garifuna film or documentary</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time to watch a film or documentary about the Garifuna people and their history. This is a great way to educate yourself and celebrate the holiday at the same time.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a beach cleanup</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Garifuna Settlement Day is also a time to celebrate and preserve the natural beauty of the Garifuna homeland. Organize a beach cleanup with friends and family to show your appreciation for the environment and the holiday.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a celebration of Garifuna culture and heritage</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Garifuna Settlement Day is an important holiday for the Garifuna people, who celebrate their history, traditions, and contributions to society. It's a chance for them to showcase their unique culture through food, music, dance, and other cultural activities.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings people together</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Garifuna Settlement Day is a time for family and community gatherings, where people come together to celebrate and honor their shared heritage. It's a day of unity and pride for the Garifuna people, bringing them closer together as a community.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes awareness and understanding</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By celebrating Garifuna Settlement Day, non-Garifuna individuals can learn more about this important culture and gain a better understanding of its history and traditions. This holiday serves as an opportunity to bridge gaps and promote cultural diversity and acceptance.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Garifuna Language is Arawakan-based</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Garifuna language, which is still spoken by many today, has a base in the Arawakan language and includes elements of other languages such as French, English, and African dialects.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Garinagu Community is Spread Across Different Countries</h3><p class='facts-content'>While the largest population of the Garinagu (the plural form of Garifuna) resides in Honduras, significant communities are also found in Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua and the United States.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Celebration Begins with the Reenactment of the Garifuna Arrival</h3><p class='facts-content'>Garifuna Settlement Day's festivities usually commence with a reenactment of the Garifuna's arrival in dugout canoes, also known as Dories, commemorating their journey from St. Vincent to Belize.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Traditional Garifuna Music Genres Include Punta and Paranda</h3><p class='facts-content'>Punta, a rhythmic dance music genre, and Paranda, a form of balladry featuring guitar music, are an integral part of Garifuna music, which is known for its vibrant rhythms and rich lyricism.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Garifuna Flag is a Symbol of Unity</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Garifuna flag, consisting of three horizontal stripes - black on the top, white in the middle, and yellow at the bottom, represents the Garinagu's African ancestry, the peaceable nature of the people, and the wealth of their homeland respectively.</p></div></div>
Garifuna Settlement Day is celebrated on November 19 every year. In 2024, Garifuna Settlement Day will occur on a Tuesday.
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Nov 19
Sunday
2024
Nov 19
Tuesday
2025
Nov 19
Wednesday
2026
Nov 19
Thursday
2027
Nov 19
Friday
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