Garifuna Flags Fly at Belize City Monument for First Time

Belize City’s iconic Flag Monument is displaying a powerful new symbol of culture and identity. For the first time, Garifuna flags are flying at the landmark, bringing the city into the spirit of the Garifuna Settlement Day celebrations. Inspired by a tradition in Dangriga, the National Garifuna Council’s Belize City branch partnered with the Belize City Council to make the historic display possible. NGC President Alex Nolberto says the flags honor the Garifuna community’s lasting contributions while drawing attention to the challenges its people still face today.

 

Alex Nolberto, President, National Garifuna Council

“That it’s an initiative that we borrowed from Dangriga. If you look to Dangriga, that is how they decorate every year. And so it was a initiative brought to Belize City. The Belize City president took the initiative from the Dangriga idea, and collaborated with the Belize City Council for their permission to utilize the, the roundabout to showcase everything Garifuna. And so I think it’s a beautiful gesture. I think it’s a first in our history in Belize City. But I definitely support it as the president of the National Garifuna Council and as a member of the Belize City Council. And as you would attest and agree, when you walk into the council’s office, it’s pretty decked out in Garifuna colors. So, you know, there’s a plus to being a Garifuna and being in a position to influence these type of situation. But yes, we applaud the efforts of the Belize City branch, and Belize City branch will be having the activity to keep Garifuna activities alive in Belize City.”

 

Britney Gordon

“Are we seeing people still interested in participating, and the turnout to these events good?”

 

Alex Nolberto

“Yes, I will dare say that the support has grown year on year. What have not grown, in my view, is the authentic aspect of the culture and our people understanding what the movement is about. So the soft aspect of the culture, the dance, the festive side of it has grown leap and bounds, but we need to now get down into the serious conversations. We need to look at the strategic issues that are affecting us as a people, and we need to address those. So, um, it is my intent moving beyond the 19th to then bring our communities together to address the strategic issues and come up with a plan as to how we move forward in addressing those issues.”

 

The National Garifuna Council says Belizeans can look forward to a vibrant season of cultural pride and tradition, with this year’s celebrations featuring the Yurumein reenactment and landing, wreath-laying ceremonies, and Garifuna Settlement Day observances on November nineteenth.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

Watch the full newscast here: