Garifuna Awareness Exhibit Showcases Culture and Talent in Belmopan

Garifuna Settlement Day is just around the corner, and the celebrations are already in full swing. Today, the City of Belmopan was buzzing with music, culture, and color as the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs officially launched the Garifuna Awareness Exhibit. From traditional foods and vibrant clothing to the rhythmic sounds of Garifuna drums, the exhibit offered a rich glimpse into the heritage of a community that continues to thrive and inspire. News Five’s Britney Gordon takes us inside the celebration.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

“Garifuna Moving Forward: Honoring Tradition, Embracing Change, Strengthening Identity”, that’s the theme for Belize’s 2025 Garifuna Settlement Day Celebrations, meant to honor the enduring legacy, vibrant culture, and resilient spirit of the Garifuna people of Belize. Today, that spirit came alive in Belmopan at the Garifuna Awareness Exhibition. Gwen Nunez-Gonzalez, Co-chair of the Garifuna Language Commission, says events like this help connect her culture with the wider Belizean community, building understanding and appreciation across the board.

 

Gwen Nunez-Gonzalez, Co-chair, Garifuna Language Commission

“For me,  it shows respect and it brings an awareness about what Garifuna has to offer. People look at the Garinagu and the thing about music generally, first thing that comes to their mind, what we have a lot to offer. So a day like this where we can showcase some aspects of who we are. As Garinagu, it is very meaningful to me.”

 

The opening ceremony drew staff from the Ministry of Transport, but the exhibit stayed open to the public well into the evening. Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Dr. Louis Zabaneh, says hosting cultural events like this is key to keeping Belize’s diverse heritage alive and celebrated.

 

Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Indigenous Affairs

“It’s about respect,  it’s about first understanding that we are all created equal and that it is important to recognize that everybody has contributed to the development of Belize. In the case of the Garifuna people, it is abundantly clear there are contributions over the years. What I said here today was that we have all other peoples in Belize, other ethnicities can learn about the experience that the Garifuna people had, the challenges they faced, the sacrifices they made. And that is something that is certainly going to strengthen all of us as a people. And beyond that, of course we can then also enjoy everything else. The music, the food, right? All the other parts that make the gar gov very unique in the world.”

 

Nunez-Gonzalez, who travelled from Dangriga to participate in the event, shared that is through education that people learn to accept and embrace cultural differences.

 

Gwen Nunez-Gonzalez

“Some  people have never tasted the Garifuna cuisine. And when they taste iy they’re like wow, and the same thing for us with other ethnic groups. We’re sometimes hesitant to eat the food because we’re not accustomed to it. But it’s important that we have exhibition and also help and educate ourselves.”

 

As Garifuna Settlement Day approaches, all Belizeans are invited to embrace the Garifuna Culture and uplift their voices throughout the nation. Britney Gordon for News Five.