Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Happy Garifuna Survival Day! The National Garifuna Council is celebrating the occasion at the San Ignacio & Santa Elena House of Culture this evening at 6pm. Mr. Yacab will be streaming the event.

Belize is in the current issue of Wanderlust Magazine. It's all about the Garifuna Trail, so it's heavy on the culture. Great timing for Garifuna Settlement Day.

'A new trail invites travellers to explore Belize’s Garifuna community through the businesses, arts and music keeping its culture alive'

The Garifuna Experience is coming to Cayo next Wednesday at 7pm. Garifuna infused aerobics, and they'll be held at the CNRRC.

The Aguada is having their 2nd annual Garifuna Night on Friday, November 11th.  Sasamu will once again perform, as will Project Inegesei.  They'll have hudut as the dinner special, of course.  

'Come join us at The Aguada for a Special Presentation presented by Sásamu and Project Inebesei on November 11, 2022 in celebration of Garifuna Settlement Day. Please whatsapp 614-0088 or 613-7829 to reserve your table today. We will be serving all the traditional Garifuna dishes for your enjoyment during the show. Come support Emilio, Warren and the rest of these talented amazing people as they give you a performance and experience you will not forget.'

The Institute for Social & Cultural Research has published an informational article entitled 'Who are the Garifuna People of Belize?'  It talks about the history and culture of the Garinagu people. Worth a read.

"In dories and boats, the Garinagu bring coconut, plantain, cassava, and the drums of their ancestors to Dangriga’s shores, as the crowds—Belizeans and visitors alike—cheer and celebrate in the streets. This is Yurumein: the reenactment of the Garifuna journey to Belize. It is Garifuna Settlement Day, a public and bank holiday in Belize since 1943. It’s a celebration of culture, resilience, and vision."

The Agauda is having a special Garifuna Night to celebrate the Garifuna culture.  They'll have live Garifuna music and wonderful food to go with it.  Sasamu will be performing.  

"Join us on the 12th of November for a special event. We're happy to announce that Sasamu will perform for our guest along with the best drummers in Belize from Hopkins. Make your reservation for dinner and entertainment today to guarantee your seat. We will be serving traditional Garifuna dishes the cost $25.00 bz per person. Call or whatsapp us 613-7829"

Video of the month.  Mervin Budram has released version 2.0 of his award winning song, Jump for Belize.  

"Get 'Jump for Belize 2.0' by Mervin Budram - MD on all digital music outlets worldwide https://fanlink.to/jumpforbelize

JUMP FOR BELIZE 2.0

Written by: Mervin & Ruth Budram

Produced by Mervin Budram

Performed by Mervin Budram - MD

Recorded, Mixed & Mastered at Studio A

Music Arrangement by Dane Linarez

Garifuna Drums by Joshua Arana

BGVs by Chanelle Parks"

Belize is listed on the Lonely Planet's 'Top 100 Countries to Visit in 2019' list!  Cayo has some of the best and most accessible caves around. 

"Its Caribbean coast is fringed by the world’s second-largest barrier reef; its interior is riddled with some of the most extensive and accessible cave systems in Central America; and its people are an exotic mix of Maya, Mestizo, Garifuna, Creole, Mennonite and expats. Yet many travellers struggle to place Belize on the map. However, the tide is turning. The government is moving to fully protect its unique marine environment, new eco-resorts are taking advantage of the country’s stunning cayes and jungle hideaways, and travellers are discovering a slice of Central America that’s relatively untouristed, safe and tantalisingly easy to reach. Get here before the inevitable crowds do."

The launch of To Educate a Nation will be this Thursday and Friday at the Cayo Welcome Center.  It's all about the contributions of Garifuna teachers and their families. 

André Lopez' picture book about the culture of Belize is finished, and is available for digital download.  Part of the profits will go towards Rotary projects in Belize.  It has a comprehensive set of pictures from all over Belize.  

"Discover the incredible ethnic diversity of Belize. Visit a deaf school and music school. See the amateur excitement of men and women rodeoing and horse racing. Become intimate with the living Maya, their dance dramas, and the Maya ball game of Pitz. Celebrate the Joys of Independence and the Responsibilities of Freedom during the September celebrations. Come and politic and learn why "...you can't be a good winner if you aren't a good loser..". Know that there are no great cathedrals in Belize, but rather an unlimited supply of humble, welcoming houses of prayer, and follow a good Friday Passion-Play as emotional as any in the world. Meet the people who give the nation its heart and pulse.

The easy reading 22 page Appendix will provide you with all the practical information needed to enjoy Belize, including a chronological history of Belize, and a narration about the Garifuna whose culture UNESCO proclaimed a Masterpiece of an Intangible and Oral history. Familiarize yourself with all the special and religious Holidays, and find out why the Belizean Flag is the most unique flag in the world. Mark your calendar for every festival and event from January through December. Learn about the country- wide annual Cancer Walk, and a plethora of other useful information."

Drumming...and dancing.  Another great short ad from the Belize Tourism Board.

"Brukdown, Garifuna, Marimba, Punta: you haven’t heard music until you’ve heard Belizean music, my friend. Check out these Punta Gorda drummers bringing the ������"

Musical interlude.  Clayton Williams, a promising Garifuna musician, has released Bibagari, proving yet again that Belize has some of the best music in the hemisphere.  Clayton's Canadian tour with the Lebeha Drummers last year has inspired him to create some really touching music.  Thanks for the music, Mr. Williams!

He has a behind the scenes video on Youtube.

"Here is my new single Bibagari (your life) written by me and produced by Juni Mar.  I like to apologize to everyone for the delay releasing the song but its here now,tell me what you think, like it and most of all don't forget to share.  The song is also available to download on Soundcloud.

The Cayo Garifuna Council is having their 1st annual Cultural Extravaganza on Saturday at the Aguada. The Bimeti Cultural Band will be performing, and they'll have Garifuna drummers. The fun starts at 9pm.

Great pictures from the opening of Heibugu Garinagu - The Garifuna Journey Exhibit, which is will be on display at the University of Belize through the 24th.

'This display brings attention to the history, challenges, achievements, and impactful contributions of the Garinagu, which laid the foundation for contemporary Belizean culture!

The Garifuna Collective will be performing at The Aguada on November 10th for their 3rd annual Garifuna Night. The world famous Garifuna Collective, fresh off their international tour, will once again play here in Cayo. Friday, November 10th.

'First time in Belize! Only a couplcayo evente weeks away! You can pick up your tickets for the stop in your municipality by clicking this link https://bit.ly/3gEpa8A or scanning the QR code on the flyer.

NBB Pay will generously give you $10 towards your ticket for this event. You simply just need to download the APP and use it as a method to purchase your ticket.'

"A music-led movement is revitalizing the Garifuna language in Central America.  In Belize, travelers are invited to join in."

The 2021 Battle of the Drums and the Garifuna Music Festival were last night. Amazing talent from drummers and singers alike.  

Update: The video has been changed to one for the Independence Weekend: https://www.facebook.com/AdmaChuc/videos/2416458258598278/

Great video highlighting the dancing that went on at Cayo's 1st ever Food Truck Music Fest.  DJ's, Bands, and Garifuna drummers provided a full day and night of music.  Galvez Stadium was packed up. 

"Food Truck music fest 2019
A big family event 1st time ever and it was a blast.
1st time in San Ignacio.
Captured by: Mary Robinson."

Video of the day.  Destination Belize has a video showing the making of a Garifuna drum. Rudolph Coleman, an established drum maker, is interviewed, and he shows the long process of how to create the instrument.

"Watch as Destination Belize takes you outside the magazine to see how a Garifuna Drum is made."

Video of the day.  Mervin Budram's version of the Little Drummer Boy will quickly become your favorite.  It's his Christmas Garifuna version, and it's beautiful.  You can order it on itunes.

"I teared up performing 'Little Drummer Boy' at the Belizean Christmas Concert. This song is real to me!"

Ivan Duran wrote a nice article about the comeback of Garifuna Music.  It's well worth a read.  

"What reggae is to Jamaica and samba is to Brazil, Garifuna music is to my country of Belize, a small Central American nation wedged between Guatemala and Mexico.
 
This vibrant music was brought to Belize by the Garifuna, or Garinagu, people, descendants of shipwrecked African slaves and Carib and Arawak Indians who were uprooted from their homeland in the Caribbean island of St. Vincent in 1796 and later settled in small communities along the coast of Belize, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. Not so long ago, this music was in danger of extinction, because its master practitioners were growing old and dying off, and the music was being lost to younger generations of Belizeans.
 
But in the last 20 or so years it has staged a remarkable comeback, a process in which I like to think that my label, Stonetree Records, has played some part. A major element in reviving Garifuna music has been rebuilding a network of musicians and composers, both old and young, and strengthening the communities that support them, both in Belize and abroad."