Garifuna History Takes Center Stage with Launch of New Book

It’s often said that history is told from the perspective of the winners. Today, a new book on Garifuna history was launched at the Leo Bradley Library. In “The Primer on the People Called Garifuna: The Things You Have Always Wanted to Know”, Myrtle Palacio traces the Garifuna journey from its origins to their settlement in Belize, while highlighting their enduring contributions to our culture. The launch is the first in a series of presentations to be held nationwide, and a display will remain at the library throughout this week. It is the hope that every history teacher will get a copy, so that the true and complete story of the Garifuna people can be told, reminding us that Garifuna history is Belizean history.

 

Myrtle Palacio, Author

“There is no one book, one place where you can go and find research on the Garifuna people from where they came until Belize. So this is a book of history. There’s also culture in the book itself and Garifuna spirituality. But we are dealing this morning with just the history, coming from the Amazon to Belize, 1981, at independence. This is information that has not been out there. so that this is well-researched information, factual information, that we need to know about each other. As the speakers mentioned, we need to know about each other, not only the Garifuna. Hopefully, there’s going to be a history book on other peoples of Belize, because knowing yourself, your self-identity, helps you to build a better nation”

 

Dr. Jeremy Cayetano, General Manager, Anglican Schools

“The history of each ethnic group should be known by every Belizean, and by extension, every Belizean adult. I believe that bringing our history to light and to the forefront of conversation can help to dispel mysteries and myths and give us a greater appreciation for each other.”