Welcome to the website of the Garifuna American Heritage Foundation United. Here you can find out more about our organization, our events and our services.
The mission of GAHFU is to serve the Garifuna-American community in the greater Los Angeles area, the Untied States and abroad through cultural programs, outreach, advocacy and social services programs. GAHFU is dedicated to the dissemination and preservation of Garifuna heritage through the arts, music, culture and language education, in addition to providing social services programs such as youth mentoring/leadership, Garifuna classes, cultural competency and enrichment programs, community forums, and more. GAHFU serves a nation that reaches across the globe annually and seeks to educate and inform the larger Los Angeles County about Garifuna culture and the contributions that Garifuna-Americans have made and continue to make in the social and cultural fabric in Central, North America and the Caribbean.
An educational, historic study of Garifuna culture tells you that Garifuna people were never enslaved. Garifuna people have always been free and have managed to keep their culture intact and alive wherever they are. *Un estudio educativo e historico determino que el Garifuna nunca fue esclavo. Los Garifunas siempre han sido libres y se han hechado a la tarea de nunca olvidar ni abandonar su cultura y costumbres. - In the picture: Our Paramount Chief Joseph Chatuye. En la foto nuestro Jefe Supremo Joseph Chatuye.
Our Paramount Chief Joseph Chatuye. En la foto nuestro Jefe Supremo Joseph Chatuye.
GAHFU, INC. GARIFUNA LANGUAGE & CULTURE ACADEMY
The Garifuna Language & Culture Academy of Los Angeles is a concept started by GAHFU, Inc. and a project developed in association with Mr. Clifford Palacio, Mr. Ruben Reyes, Mr. Carlos Domingo Alvarez, Mr. Sidney Mejia with the help of The Blazer Learning Center run by Mr. Bennie Davenport. The school was born in 2005 and it was first held at Maabatuwa Cultural Center of Los Angeles. Mr. Palacio and Mr. Alvarez had previously taught at another location years before. After Maabatuwa, GAHFU saw the need to establish a more permanent school where families could attend and learn. The purpose of this project is to preserve the Garifuna language spoken and written which is the lifeline of the Garinagu as we know it. Those who are fluent in Garifuna can also improve their vocabulary and learn how to write it following the standarized rules accorded in the last convention by the Garifuna Nation scholars. GAHFU"s school started in April 2008 at The Blazer Learning Center 1517 W. 48 St. LA, CA 90062. Classes are offered every Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm. For more information call 323-898-6841. The online classes is also supported by Martin Bermudez and Labuga.com website.
*This project has been made possible in part by a grant from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts, in partnership with the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the James Irvine Foundation.
Session IV from Aug. 21 thru Oct. 16. Session V from Oct. 30 thru Dec. 18, 2010! We have added a Children's Class, a Beginner's Class and an Advanced Class. All of these classes will be offered in the morning at 10 am. The Drumming & Conversational Class will remain at 12 noon.
Garifuna Language & Culture Academy announces that its courses begin every 8 weeks from 10am to 1pm at The Blazer Learning Center 1517 West 48th Street LA (corner of Denker and 48th St.) Call to register 323 898-6841 and to find out when the next course starts! e-mail: gahfuinc@garifunaheritagefoundation.org
Garifuna American Heritage Foundation United is an exempt organization under section 501 ( c) (3) and all donations are tax deductible. GAHFU is a non-profit charitable and educational organization based in California. Our purpose is to preserve the uniqueness of the Garifuna culture, history, language, music, arts & crafts and spirituality by working closely with the Garifuna community not only in Los Angeles County, but throughout the world. We seek to enhance and showcase the image and vision of the Garifuna people through education, music and the arts.
We are committed to bringing the necessary resources to improve the well being of the Garinagu through health seminars, HIV and AIDS and Drug & Alcohol education.
GAHFU also recognizes the need to assist in acquiring adequate healthcare, child care, proper nutrition, clothing and shelter for our elders and our children. GAHFU will act as an extended family to advocate for services needed by our our senior citizens which will enable them to live in dignity with cultural pride during their golden years. We will develop afterschool cultural enrichment classes, leadership, and mentoring programs for our youth .
And last but not least, our endeavor also includes to be able to properly channel the music, dance and the arts to the world. There is a strong, talented and artistically inclined group of Garifuna artists who are the lifeline of the Garifuna culture. This talent is in danger of being lost if not preserved and/or exposed properly.
On May 18th 2001, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, proclaimed the Garifuna Language, Music and Dance a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
GARIFUNA FLAG
The meaning of the colors of the Garifuna flag are: The Yellow is for our Amerindian heritage,hope and liberation. The white is for the peace and freedom. The black is for Africa, death and suffering.
Many Garinagu have migrated to the United States of America. Some of the major US cities where a substantial number of Garifuna live in are: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans, Miami, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, San Francisco. The Los Angeles City Council declared April 12 , 2003 "Garifuna Day" in the City of Los Angeles. November 19th is the "Garifuna Day" in New York City which was signed and recognized by former Mayor David N. Dinkins in 1991.
SAINT VINCENT & THE GRENADINES
Also known as Yurumein, St. Vincent & The Grenadines is the original homeland of the Garinagu. This is the birthplace of this hybrid people who are a combination of African and Arawak and Carib natives. They are considered the aboriginal of Yurumein. Presently, there is a Garifuna reservation still vibrant in Sandy Bay.
HONDURAS
The Bay Islands or Roatan is the original landing place where the Garinagu settled after being exiled from St. Vincent & The Grenadines by the British empire. From Roatan, the Garinagu, migrated to the mainland Honduras and currently there are over 28 communities spread out along the Caribbean coast. Indura (Honduras) celebrates its settlement day on April 12.
GUATEMALA
Garinagu came to Livingston, also known as La Buga, in 1802. They were led by Marcos Sanchez Diaz. They also settled from Chewecha (Quehueche) to Puerto Barrios. La Buga is a vibrant community which is highly popular among tourists for its display of the Garifuna culture, food and music. Livingston celebrates the arrival of the Garinagu to Guatemala now on the 26 of November.
BELIZE
The Garifuna were led by Elejo Beni into what was formerly known as British Honduras - Belize territory in 1832. Belize has the second largest Garifuna community in Central America after Honduras. The major settlements are in Punta Gorda, Seine Bight, Georgetown, Hopkins, Dangriga ,Barranco and Belmopan. Garinagu celebrate their settlement day on November 19.
The Garinagu who settled in Nicaragua, arrived there by accident. They were in search of the route back to their homeland in St. Vincent, unfortunately they never made it and remained in this beautiful country. Nicaragua has the smallest population of Garifuna in Central America. Some concerned Garinagu from the neighboring nations have dedicated themselves to the re-acculturation of the people of Nicaragua from Garifuna descent.
CARIB VILLAGE IN SAINT VINCENT (Picture below)
FROM BALICEAUX, GARINAGU WERE EXILED TO ROATAN (RUBADAN)
Map of the Bay Islands, Roatan Honduras
AGarifuna operated non-profit organizaton - Copyright GAHFU, Inc. All rights reserved.
*DISCLAIMER:
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by "GAHFU, Inc." and while we try to keep the information up-to-date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website. Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of "GAHFU, Inc.". We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, "GAHFU, Inc." takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
Our Paramount Chief Joseph Chatuye. En la foto nuestro Jefe Supremo Joseph Chatuye. 
Session IV from Aug. 21 thru Oct. 16. Session V from Oct. 30 thru Dec. 18, 2010! We have added a Children's Class, a Beginner's Class and an Advanced Class. All of these classes will be offered in the morning at 10 am. The Drumming & Conversational Class will remain at 12 noon.
