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Wanaragua Ritual
Por: Rony Figueroa
Que es lo que le depara a grupo de baile Wanaragua de Los Angeles? Este año nuevamente tuvimos la oportunidad de disfrutar en familia del baile tradicional del Wanaragua, tambien conocido como mascaro y Jankunu en toda la region centroamericana donde habitan los Garifunas. El grupo de jovenes y personas adultas que con su altruismo y civismo cultural dedican su tiempo cada año a la ardua tarea de bailar el tradicional baile netamente garifuna, lo hacen no solamente por el amor a su cultura sino tambien porque les asegura un futuro muy brillante en cuanto a la preservacion de sus tradiciones en la tierra del Tio Sam.
En esta Navidad del 2008, se vio una vez mas el esplendor de su arte tan delicado que solamente un ojo bien entrenado en el conocimiento verdadero del significado de los movientos observados en los danzantes del Wanaragua, podria apreciar. El baile del Wanaragua no es solamente una serie de movimientos de piernas, cadera, brazos y cabeza sino un mensaje que comunica el ejecutante a la persona que toca con mucha gracia y eficacia el tambor garifuna conocido como “primera”. En este baile ritual, la persona que esta bailando Wanaragua es la que dicta al tamborista como tocar. Un redoble, un doble redoble o un toque en seco que indica que el Wanaragua esta al mando. El Garawun -drummer- mira con exactitud y gracia a las piernas del Wanaragua para poder contestar sus ordenes de movimiento.
El jefe de los wanaragua es conocido como Abuti. El Abuti del grupo de Wanaragua en Los Angeles es el Sr. Flavio Alvarez “Paps”. Flavio me cuenta que por tradicion el ya trae el llamado para esto. Su padre fue uno de los mejores danzarines del Wanaragua en Livingston, Izabal. El me cuenta con una voz melancolica y llena de orgullo que su padre no le permitia verlo cuando el se estaba vistiendo con su atuendo muy llamativo, multicolor semejando el vestido de una mujer. “Mi padre no me dejaba ni bailar con ellos ni mucho menos tocar su atuendo, era algo muy sagrado y especial que solo los adultos podian ejercer.” De alli es donde viene el llamado de los ancestros de Paps quienes han encomendado tan ardua tarea que se celebra en Los Angeles, California cada 25 de Diciembre y cada primero de Enero con motivo de la Navidad y Año Nuevo respectivamente.
En este articulo que escribo no me quiero meter mucho en detalles en cuanto a lo que respecta al baile Wanaragua, para eso les recomiendo comprar y ver el dvd del documental llamado “Play Jankunu, Play” realizado por el Dr. Oliver Greene de la Universidad del Estado de Georgia. Mi preocupacion en dedicar un momento es escribir esta nota desde la comodidad de mi hogar y desde el teclado de la computadora, es para hacer la pregunta: Quien podra continuar el tradicional baile de Wanaragua el dia en que Paps ya no este? Como lo expresa el finado Andy Palacio en su cancion; Kaba funa san añuga wabute amuñegu, Kaba funa san ayanuha Garifuna numa amuñegu, Kaba funa san arumaha numa o amuñegu, Kaba funa san aduguraha wau o amuñegu? En otras palabras: “contenplando el futuro y el potencial declive de la cultura Garifuna, Andy expresa su preocupacion y hace un llamado a la preservacion de la cultura. Desde ese entonces, se ha desencadenado un renacimiento y ha despertado un interes especial para la reviver el idioma Garifuna, el cual por muchos años ha sido ignorado por los sistemas educativos.” Tomado del album Watina.
Tan asi juega un papel importante el ya tradicional baile de Wanaragua, que con mas de sus 15 años ya ha logrado deleitar a jovenes, niños, adultos, Garifuna, ladinos, blancos y aun negros americanos en Los Angeles. Tan asi de importante se ha vuelto esta tradicion que este año se tuvo un invitado especial que viajo desde Chicago, para tener el honor de ser parte del ensamble. Este hombre que viajo desde Chicago, se identifico como oriundo de Dangriga y de una familia netamente de Wanaraguas. Fue recibido con brazos abiertos y con mucha pompa y circumstancia pues no solamente vino a enriquecer al grupo de danza, sino tambien le vino a brindar un toque de resonancia y respeto. En años anteriores se han integrado niños con sus padres que han viajado desde Nueva York con exclusividad para participar en este evento.
La Dra. Michele Goldwasser, quien por mucho tiempo ya ha seguido muy de cerca estas tradiciones en el area de Los Angeles, se ofrecio como voluntaria para preparar una “Grant” que es una beca monetaria para fomentar las culturas en peligro de extincion. El tradicional Wanaragua, cuenta la batalla que sostuvo la comunidad Garifuna de San Vicente - Yurumein - contra los invasores Ingleses. Segun la historia transmitida verbalmente de generacion en generacion, los hombres se vistieron en atuendos de mujer para sorprender al ejercito invasor que queria despojarlos de sus tierras. Los Garifunas notaron que los Ingleses solo atacaban a los hombres y no asi a las mujeres lo cual fue una estrategia utilizado por los hombres para repeler el ataque. Clara que hay otras variaciones de esta historia lo cual invita al dialogo.
Entonces regresando al tema principal, sera que los jovenes Garifunas, estas nuevas generaciones que ya estan reemplazando a muchos de nosotros, estan preparados para lograr mantener esta tradicion? Sera que los jovenes no se interesan mucho en mantener su cultura y sus costumbres en America? Yo miro un futuro muy incierto para la comunidad Garifuna en Estados Unidos. En realidad me doy cuenta que aunque algunos niños participan como miembros del Wanaragua, yo no veo esa transicion. Espero que este equivocado! Pero me concierne como padre de familia y como padre de un niño Garifuna, de que se haga algo al respecto. Quien llevara la espada el dia en que Abuti ya no este? Quien podra tomar el tiempo para reunir a Garinagu de todas nacionalidades para que vayan a ensayar a su casa desde principios del mes de Noviembre de cada año para que esta constitucion fisica este optima para el baile? El baile Wanaragua require de mucha coordinacion, estamina y buena condicion fisica. Donde estaran los jovenes que vendran a tomar mando? Quien les confeccionara el traje de Wanaragua? Quien les hara las mascaras que con su colo rosado y pintas de labios y ojos cubren el rostro de los que lo bailan? Quien les cantara las canciones que solo las Gayusas saben?
Gracias por su atencion y tomemos un momento para reflexionar un poco en estos dias de Fedu de celebracion.
 Conozca Livingston, Izabal "La Buga". Pinchar la foto para ver el video!
 Tradiciones de La Buga, Livingston. Pinchar la foto para ver el video!
 Bahia Azul fue incendiada en Livingston, Izabal. Esto fue tomado de la edicion digital de Prensa Libre del dia Jueves 11 de Diciembre del 2008. (Correccion Chepper - Sheppard)
Así quedaron las instalaciones de la discoteca Tropicool, en Lívingston, Izabal. Por edwin perdomo
IzabalLívingston. Un grupo de supuestos pandilleros garífunas robó objetos e incendió ayer por la madrugada la discoteca Tropicool, que se encuentra cerca de la playa de Barrio Barique, lo cual dejó pérdidas superiores a los Q300 mil.
Según pobladores que omitieron sus hombres, las llamas amenazaban con extenderse a residencias vecinas. Citaron que los delincuentes no solo son garífunas, sino originarios de Belice, de Honduras y deportados de Estados Unidos.
Explicaron que esto ocurrió debido a que el 25 de noviembre recién pasado, compañeros de esos pandilleros robaron y destruyeron el restaurante Bahía Azul y parte de la discoteca Tropicool, por lo que guardias de los negocios activaron sus armas y dieron muerte a Carlos Armando Chepper Zúñiga, de 28 años, y resultaron heridos Marcos Carmen Zúñiga, 36; Omar Núñez, 26, y Jefri Henri Mena, 24.
Por ello, la Policía Nacional Civil capturó a los guardias particulares Mario Chen Ical, 33; Moisés Alejandro Oliva Carías, 34, a quienes les decomisaron una escopeta 12 y una pistola de 9 milímetros.
 Click to listen to the live interview: Garifuna a transnational ethnic group! Pinche el anuncio para escuchar la entrevista hecha a Ruben Reyes con respecto a como la etnia Garifuna se identifica siendo una etnia transnacional.
KPFK's Contacto Ancestral will be presenting an interview with Arufudahati Ruben Reyes from GAHFU Garifuna Culture & Language School at 9:00 pm PST. You can listen to it via internet or by tuning in to KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles on Monday, December 8, 2008.
Garifuna Massacre in Labuga
La Buga - Livingston celebrated its Garifuna Settlement Day on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 with a big wake. The sudden death of the Garifuna youth was shock to the community. One youngman was shot indiscriminately by the owners of a popular night club on the eve of Yurumein. One of the victims was Adu's son Carlitos. The report alleged that 2 youngmen tried to get in for free at a party going on at "Bahia Azul" a popular night club, last night in celebration of La Buga Garifuna Settlement Day and as they were denied access, one the fellows allegedly stabbed the security guard. The owners of the club, Kevin and Ian, came outside running with 1 loaded gun each shooting indiscriminately and killed 1 and wounded 4 other. Three of the shot victims were critically wounded and remain alive and ready to tell the story the way it really happened. Carlitos, the one who died, was the brother to one of Livingston's elite boxers, Randy. This horrible event was confirmed by Amanda Sheppard who happens to live in the Los Angeles area. Amanda is the older daughter of the well known Garifuna restaurant owner by the sea Mrs. Adu who is taking it really hard at this moment. Carlitos and the other victims are going to be buried on Saturday, November 29 with little to be said about the killings. We at GAHFU, Inc. are encouraging those who want to donate to do so and the money will go towards the Garifuna family in Livingston who is having a hard time covering the expenses incurred during the burial of these young men. You can also contact The Sheppard family of La Buga who are living in Los Angeles by calling Amanda Sheppard (323) 802-4256 cell phone or (323) 293-2325 home.
Contact: Cheryl L. Noralez
President & Founder
www.garifunaheritagefoundation.org
Phone 562 366-9396
Cell 323 898-6841 GAHFU, Inc.Press Release
GAHFU, Inc. - Garifuna Culture & Language School
The committee led by Mrs. Cheryl Noralez, Mr. Clifford Palacio, Ruben Reyes and Rony Figueroa in conjunction with The Blazer Learning Center announce the following:
Los Angeles, CA November 24, 2008: GAHFU, Inc. is proud to announce that classes for our next 8-week session will be starting tentatively on Saturday, January 17th . 2009 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at The Blazer Learning Center located at 1517 West 48th Street Los Angeles, CA 90062. In addition, our current Session-Four will come to an end on Saturday, December 20th 2008 with a special celebration honoring our graduating students with a Garifuna Cook-Off. This special event will be taking place in appreciation of the students interest in learning the Garifuna culture and language.
· The tuition for adults and children for the 8-week-course will be $25 but you are welcome to donate more
· The fee for the course includes school supplies and multimedia like cds and DVDs.
*Note: We will not be meeting for classes this Thanksgiving weekend (Saturday, November 29, 2008); however, we will be back the following Saturday, December 6, 2008.
We would like to welcome back our dear Arufudahati Clifford Palacio from his trip to Belize, Central America where he was born. Congratulations and we cannot wait to see you back during our next session in January.
Have a nice trip Arududahati Ruben Reyes and enjoy yourself along with your family during this weekend. www.rubenreyesonline.com
Thank you Mr. Benny Davenport and Maria Mendez from The Blazer Learning Center for hosting our classes and for being part of this community effort. Remember that The Blazer Learning Center offers Salsa and Belly Dancing classes for anyone interested. For more information call (323) 292-2261. They also offer a variety of programs as well as tutoring for your children. http://www.blazeryouth.org/home.html
We would also like to remind you that Guatemala is celebrating its Garifuna Settlement Day on Wednesday, November 26, 2008.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact GAHFU, Inc.
 Happy Garifuna Settlement Day - Guatemala 2009 * El 26 de Noviembre se conmemora el Dia Nacional del Pueblo Garifuna en Guatemala, conforme Decreto Legislativo 83-96. En esta oprtunidad habra acto especial en el Palacio Nacional en la ciudad capital de Guatemala, en el cual la señor SOFIA BLANCO ARZU, destacada artista y cantautora garifuna reibira un Homenaje de parte del Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes. El act sera a las 9:30 horas el dia 25 de Noviembre.
Experience the legacy of the Arawaks and Caribs meeting the Africans -
a culture of struggle, survival, resilience, triumph and excellence.
Come feel and hear their story…
The Biko Transformation Center
presents
a Celebration from the Roots of the Caribbean
featuring a Garifuna evening with
JAMES LOVELL and THE AFRIGARIFUNA YOUTH ENSEMBLE
in their
ANNUAL CONCERT
Sunday, December 7, 2008 at 4:00 PM
Tickets $25 Adults/$10 Children
(includes refreshments)
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
1405 Bushwick Ave. (bet. Cooper Ave. & Moffat St.)
Brooklyn, NY 11207
Subway: J to Chauncey St. or L to Bushwick/Aberdeen St.
Bus: B20 and B24 to Bushwick Ave. & Cooper St.
 Jobo, DJ Labuga & Mohubob Flores at Umalali Studios in Los Angeles, California during the 19th of November 2008.
 GARIFUNA CLOCK designed by Ruben Reyes - Garifuna Historian and Teacher at GAHFU's Culture and Language School in Los Angeles. Make your donation to GAHFU between now and November 15, 2008 to help pay for the delivery of an ambulance fully equiped to the hospital in Ciriboya, Colon Honduras and you will be selected among all of the people who donate to be awarded one beautiful, giant, Garifuna Clock that can decorate your livingroom. Make sure you mention that your donation goes towards the ambulance shipped to Honduras. *Reloj Garifuna diseñado por Ruben Reyes, historiador y maestro de nuestra escuela en Los Angeles. Haga su donacion y participe en llevarse a casa este reloj gigante para la pared de su casa. Cuando done, favor de mencionar que su donacion va hacia los gastos de envio de la ambulancia al hospital de Ciriboya, Colon Honduras. Su donacion le dara la oportunidad de llevarse este reloj entre las fechas de Octubre 23 hasta Noviembre 15, 2008.
Ambulatory Hospital for Ciriboya (Mañali), Honduras
October 23rd, 2008
GARIFUNA AMERICAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION UNITED
PO Box 10054
Long Beach, CA 90810
GAHFU, Inc. is trying to help collect donations to pay for the expenses incurred during the shipping of the ambulance to Ciriboya, Colon Honduras. Your kind donation is being asked from Garinagu, friends and anybody interested. This ambulance is being used as a mobile hospital along with the First Garifuna Hospital in the World, located in Ciriboya (Mañali), Honduras.
“Luagu Hátuadi Waduheñu” is operating in Ciriboya providing free medical attention to all people in the region, is the first hospital of its kind in Honduras. The Garinagu and Cuban medical brigades are serving the communities, they need the ambulance to serve as ambulatory hospital in the most remote and isolated villages in Honduras. There is no electricity in any of the villages of the region, we have acquired 80 solar panels to be sent to the hospital. We have shipped a 2000, Ford diesel, fully loaded Ambulance from Los Angeles to Ciriboya, but we need to pay back the money borrowed ($2,500.00) through your donations. The expenses incurred included money for transportation (driving it), plus additional monies for gasoline, insurance and permits. Thank you and don't forget that your donation is tax deductible;
Cheryl L. Noralez, President & Founder
 A $10 to $20 suggested donation will do and make sure you tell us that your donation will go towards the "Ambulance to Honduras". You have until November 15, 2008 to help this noble Garifuna cause. *Se sugiere una donacion de $10 a $20 y favor de especificar de que su donacion es para la "Ambulancia a Honduras". Usted tiene hasta el proximo 15 de Noviembre del 2,008 para donar para esta causa noble.
 Actual ambulance sent to Honduras. The ambulance carried solar panels to help build a source of electricity to run the equipment in the hospital. *Foto original de la ambulancia que fue enviada a Honduras. La ambulancia llevava paneles solares para ayudar a construir una fuente de energia solar para poder utilizar la maquinaria como rayos x, etc.
 GAHFU, Inc. proudly announces that it will be offering a new session. Classes start this Saturday, November 1st 2008. Introduction to Garifuna Culture and Language and Advanced Garifuna Culture and Language taught by Arufudahati Ruben Reyes and Clifford Palacio. Classes run from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm during 8 consecutive weeks. The Blazer's House is located at 1517 West 48th Street in Los Angeles, CA 90062 (corner of Denker). For more information and to register, please visit: or call (323) 898-6841 or (323) 875-6372. Hurry because classes are filling now! And remember that these courses are offered to all those interested in learning the Garifuna language, no matter if you are Garifuna or not or if you speak the language or not. Yours truly; Cheryl L. Noralez, President and FounderGarifuna American Heritage Foundation United
November 19th celebrations in Los Angeles.
1) 1st Annual Mr. Garifuna Content - Salaam Temple Sat., Nov. 1st - 323-253-9811
a) Uraga Night "Under The Tent Productions" - Surf Club 54th & Hoover LA 7 pm - 'til (Bootsy) Sat. Nov. 8, 2008
2) Uraga Night - Maaba Cultural Center - Thurs. Nov. 13, - 323-296-5657
3) Poetry Night - Maaba Cultural Center - Sat. Nov., 15 - 310-386-5468
4) Day at the Park Concert - Carver Middle School - Vernon and McKinley Aves., L.A. - Sat.
Nov. 15th, Call Auntie Martha.
5) Sunday Concert at Hollywood Park Casino - Call Auntie Martha
6) 18th Bringing in the 19th of November Jump Up - Maaba Cultural Center
7) Art Exhibition by Greg Palacio - Maaba - Sat., Nov. 8th
8) Drums Lessons and Gallery Walk - Everyday for the month of Nov. at Maaba
Oh, and don't forget the celebrations in Belize, New York, Chicago, and Detroit if you happen to be in either of those places.
Have Fun and Stay Focused.
Sidd
 Click on the picture to see the album. Sponsored by The Blazer Learning Center home of GAHFU's Garifuna Culture and Language School. Pinche la foto para ver el album de la presentacion en la Universidad de Northridge.
Orange County California 10-19-08,
Hermanos(as), Es un alto privilegio para mi en tomar unos momentos con el permiso de los hermanos Ruben Reyes y Clifford Palacio, estos honorables profesores en educacion del idioma garifuna y al mismo tiempo lideres internacionales comunitarios internacionales respectivamente, para informarles sobre algunos acontecimientos que llevaron acabo este fin de semana.
Indudablemente que las cosas que suceden son motivados por una causa, y de logica, tienen un fin especifico y particular en las mayoria de veces. La emocionante y motivadora fresca brisa de la iniciativa o movimiento de un nuevo amanecer, ya se siente agradable en la Cal State University Northridge en el condado de Los Angeles, al igual que en Soka University of America en Orange County, California. Con la ayuda de la profesora Sarah England, PhD, en la rama de antropologia y el profesor Thomas Crowder, PhD, en la rama de Humanidades, me presentaron como miembro de la etnia Garifuna; Bernardo Guerrero (King Hordin Hihihi), para dictar una charla relacionado a la historia de la Nacion Garifuna, por el termino de una hora. Cabe decir que los mas de 33 alumnos que asistieron a la charla, hicieron preguntas relacionadas al tema, al mismo tiempo quedaron muy agradecidos y con mas interes de seguir aprendiendo de la Nacion Garifuna.
De igual manera se llevo a cabo en la Cal State University Northridge. Alli asistieron los alumnos que estan aprendiendo el idioma garifuna en la escuela de GAHFU, dirigido por los profesores Ruben Reyes y Clifford Palacio. La escuela GAHFU esta compuesta de ninos, jovenes, adultos y personas de la tercera edad ( Emenecia Harry), abuela del hermano Ruben. La senora Harry quedo super satisfecha por asistir a tan trascendental acontecimiento. Ella agrego de que ahora ella estara participando cada sabado como alumna en la escuela de cultura y lenguage Garifuna y al mismo tiempo motivando a mas personas que deceen aprender el idioma. Asi tambien asistieron alumnos del grupo CAUSA (Central American United Student Asociation) de la universidad. Tambien estuvo el profesor Clifford Palacio quien dio una catedras sobre el pronunciamiento, escritura, diferenciaciones y como se debe de hablar el idioma garifuna. El profesor Ruben Reyes dio una amplia exposicion audivisual y literaria sobre el trafico de negros africanos en embarcaciones como esclavos.
Durante la presentacion hubieron mas de 60 personas presente entre estudiantes universitarios, estudiantes de la escuela GAHFU y otros invitados especiales. La audiencia logro hacer una o dos preguntas sobre el tema de la migracion Garifuna desde Yurumein hasta tierras Centroamericanas. Al final, los miembros de la universidad pronunciaron su satisfaccion y ofrecieron su colaboracion para que en cualquier momento que se les necesite, los utilicemos como apoyo educativo y de intercambio socio-cultural. Ellos se prestaron muy atentos para hacer mas grande esta iniciativa de hacercar a la gente Garifuna a las aulas universitarias.
Para terminar, lo mas importante de todo esto es que ninguno de estos dos profesores Ruben vReyes ni Clifford Palacio, devengaron o cobraron ni un centavo por su presencia. La presentacion fue de mucho valor sin duda. Es importante tambien notar de que cada sabado el Sr. Reyes tanto como el Sr. Palacio prestan sus servicios como mestros voluntarios para impartir su conocimiento a los interesados. Las clases son de la ensenanza del idioma Garifuna. Felicidades profesores ejemplares! Felicidades alumnos perservantes! ''SUNGUBEI EIBUGUNI WABARUAGUN NI LUN WADIGIAGUN WARIGOUN'' ''NADA HEMOS PERDIDO LO UNICO QUE HEMOS PERDIDO ES EL TIEMPO COMO NACION GARINAGU'' ''WE DISERE TO FIGTH FOR OUR LAND, IDENTITY, DIGNITY, CULTURE AND ECONIMIC EMPOWERMENT, BECAUSE THE IDEA WERE HANDED DOWN TO US BY OUR ANCESTORS'' Att; King Hordin Hihihi
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Vincy 2009 Homecoming-The Garifuna Reunion Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 25, 2008
Contacts: José Francisco Ávila (917) 783-5298 info@garifunacoalition.org
New York – The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization is pleased to inform that members of its Board of Directors will attend the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Organization of Pennsylvania, Inc’s Thirteenth Annual Dinner and Dance in Philadelphia, celebrating the 29th Anniversary of St Vincent and the Grenadines Independence on November 1, The event is sponsored by the honorable LaCelia A. Prince St Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador to the USA.
The Keynote Speaker at the event will be The Honorable René Baptiste, Minister of Culture of St. Vincent and the Grenadines . During their visit, the Board members will also participate in a meeting with Minister Baptiste and the Vincentian Diaspora, on Sunday, November 2, where she will share information about Vincy Homecoming 2009.
Furthermore, the Board members will be in St Vincent and the Grenadines to attend the official launch for Vincy Homecoming 2009, which will take place in Kingstown on November 9th, 2008 at Heritage Square . The Board members have scheduled a series of meetings with the government officials involved with Vincy Homecoming 2009 during their visit.
The Garifuna Coalition is also happy to announce that the Garifuna Heritage Foundation of Saint Vincent, the National Garifuna Council of Belize, The Central American Black Organization (CABO), The Garifuna American Heritage Foundation United (GAHFU) in Los Angeles and Hondurans Against AIDS, Inc, from New York, have agreed to be members of the Global Planning Committee for Vincy Homecoming 2009-The Garifuna Reunion. Upon the Board members return from the official launching, the Garifuna Coalition will schedule a series of meetings with the various organizations involved and their constituents to collectively prepare the final plans for Vincy Homecoming 2009-The Garifuna Reunion. In order to streamline the coordination efforts, the Garifuna Coalition has established the garivincy@googlegroups.com, as the Global Planning Committee’s official group. In addition, all the latest information will be posted at http://garifunacoalition.org/vincy_homecoming_2009.
In 2009, New York’s Garifuna Community will celebrate some key milestones, such as the186th Anniversary of “The Drama of King Shotaway,” A play by William Henry Brown, which is recognized as the first black drama of the American theatre, which has as its subject the 1795 Black Caribs Insurrection of the Caribs in the Island of Saint Vincent, led by the Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer; the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the Carib American Association, Inc., the 50th anniversary of the of the Fenix Social Club, Inc and the 20th anniversary of Mujeres Garinagu en Marcha (MUGAMA), Inc. and Organización de Damas Limoneñas en New York,Inc, and the 19th Anniversary of the Happy Land Social Club Fire among others.
Therefore, the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. has submitted a proposal to New York City elected officials, to proclaim March 11th– April 12th, beginning in 2009 and every year thereafter, as Garifuna Heritage Month, in observance of the 214th Anniversary of the death of the Paramount Garifuna Chief Joseph Chatoyer, the 212th anniversary of the exile of the Garifuna people from St Vincent on March 11th, 1797 and their settlement in Central America on April 12th, 1797 as an integral part of the activities planned prior to the historic journey back to Yurumein, the Garifuna Reunion in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We invite members of the community to support the proposal and stay tuned for more information.
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August 31, 2008
Ms. Cheryl NoralezCEO and FounderGarifuna American Heritage Foundation United, Inc. (GAHFU)P.O. Box 10054Long Beach, CA 90810
Dear Ms. Noralez:
We are delighted to read that GAHFU will be part of the planning committee for Vincy Homecoming 2009. We appreciate your response and look forward to working together. We are also happy to hear that several individuals have expressed interest in traveling to Yurumein for this historical reunion. We’d like to inform you that we met with SVG Ambassador La Celia Prince last week and she’s very committed to the reunion. In addition, we are happy to inform you that the Central American Black Organization (CABO) has also accepted our invitation to be part of the planning committee, as well as the Garifuna Heritage Foundation of St. Vincent, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Attached you will find the initial program submitted to RIDU as well as Ambassador John’s letter for your review and suggestions. We look forward to mutually beneficial partnership, along with the other organizations in the planning of this historical event. Should you have any questions, you may contact me at (917) 783-5298 or jose.avila@garifunacoaltion.org Sincerely Jose Francisco Avila Treasurer
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GAHFU, Inc. Presents COFECA's 25st Annual Central American Parade LA 2008
"Agudahei Wagucha" "Keeping Our Culture Alive" "Manteniendo Nuestra Cultura Viva"
Pictures courtesy of Francis Estrada. Thanks to Martha Martinez's Garifuna Culture Group
The parade was celebrated on Sunday, September 21st from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. It started on the corners of Pico Blvd. and Vermont Avenue and it ended at McArthur Park where there was music, food, arts and crafts and a 3-day street festival. GAHFU, Inc. would like to thank the Garifuna community for having supported and marched with our float.
Mas fotos del famoso desfile Centroamericano que se celebro el Domingo 21 de Septiember del '08 en las calles y avenidas del centro de Los Angeles, CA. GAHFU, Inc. participo con su carroza alegorica con su tema "Agudahei Wagucha" "Manteniendo Nuestra Cultura Viva"
GAHFU's preliminary drawing of the float that will be built by Garinagu in Los Angeles to participate in the 25th Anniversary of the Centrall American Independence Parade in Los Angeles, California. This year's GAHFU's theme is: "Agudahei Wagucha" "Keeping our culture alive" "Manteniendo nuestra cultura viva"
 Agudahei Wagucha
CARNIVAL C.A.
By Rony Figueroa
Living and working in America is the dream of many but only a handful of people from around the world but especially from Latin America get to realize this dream. Living and working in America is only part of what I am going to tell you because there those few who not only get to do this but also those who become very successful at it. The ones that become successful go on to live their lives the American way, but others chose to give back what they received from this generous nation while attaining the American dream.
Statistically speaking, the Western United States attracts more Mexican and Central American immigrants than any other part. The Eastern United States is dominated by immigrants groups coming from the Caribbean and Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa and Northern Africa; Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Jamaicans, Italians, Jews, Ethiopians, etc.
Garinagu who have migrated to the United States are mostly those who came from Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and an unknown number of Garinagu from Nicaragua. And if you are familiar with Garifuna geography and migration patterns, you should know that the majority of Honduran and Guatemalan Garinagu went to settle in New York since the late 40's. The late arrivals have been Garinagu from Belize who have chosen Los Angeles as their place to live and work followed by Guatemalans and Hondurans respectively.
Overall, the dominant group is the one that gets the most attention and therefore the most notoriety from their surroundings. In Los Angeles for example, Belizean Garinagu are the ones that organize their Annual 19th of November Celebration with a variety of events. There are social dances that announce the arrival of the Garinagu to Belize with artists flown all the way from Belize like Mohubob and Titiman Flores, Super G and the regular local artists like Aziatic, Mimie, James Lovell, Guwie Possey and Libaya Baba. Some other leaders in the community bring their Annual Uraga Night. Uraga Night is the night before the nineteenth celebration where all of the grown folks get together for an evening of comedy, storytelling and dancing to the beat of the drums. Uraga does not necessarily take place in that order back in the villages of Central America.
Apart from the nineteenth celebration, Garinagu in Los Angeles get to have their own social groups that do events throughout the year. One of the highlights at the end of each year is the Grand Ball organized by the Mejia family. The Grand Ball is a tradition brought from the heart of DangrigaTown in the heart of Belize; the culture capital of Belize as Grigalizeans call it. Couples of children, teenagers and adults dance a series of grand ball style steps at unison. The music varies from very old and instrumental country music, vintage soca to some of the latest paranda and puntarock songs. The Grand Ball is danced between Christmas and New Year's here in Los Angeles and it usually ends up in a social dance for all at the end of a very long and tedious performance.
Two of the people who are giving back to the community are Mr. Arturo Ruiz and Mr. Osman Norales both from the beautiful country of Honduras. Art Ruiz is a Garifuna man who grew up in the City of Tela. He manages Art Ruiz Team Realty. Art is the bread and butter behind this venture that I am about to tell you. Art can now rest assured that he will always be remembered as the first Garifuna man to have produced and promoted a carnival that included all seven nations in Central America in Los Angeles, California.
Take Osman Norales, a native of the village of San Juan Tela. Osman runs his business under Noralesproductions.com which he started in 1998 in The Bronx, New York. His immediate goal was to serve as a booking agent for different Garifuna puntarock bands and solo artists in the New York. He is also credited with producing the Waruguma Crew album entitled "San Juan Durugubuti Bei Bei" and to have taken this band to perform live along Kazzabe in Honduras. Another aspect of his business was to help people with their credit rating in order to acquire real estate and to help those in need of credit repair nationwide.
Both Art with the help and guidance from Osman teamed up to bring to the people of Los Angeles on Sunday, September 7th, 2008, the First Central American Caribbean Carnival at the Long Beach Queen Mary Park. A Garifuna man takes the lead in being the founder and creator of a carnival that we can call ours. The production of such an event of this magnitude involves not only a large capital but also lots of planning and organizing and delegating. Art and Osman did it all with the help of their team and a few good insiders.
An outdoor event of this nature takes lots of man power, planning, organizing and marketing and only people with the business mentality and the love for adventure like Art and Osman can make it happen. The Art Ruiz Team Realty and Noralesproductions.com brought to Los Angeles the best performers of Central America. Punta Cartel Band from Huntington Park's Honduras Kitchen Restaurant gave us their "Puty Puty", Amanecer Nicaraguense, folkloric trio, gave us their May Pole rhythms along with their "Banana" song. Aziatic representing the country of Belize gave us his fast-paced puntarock with hip-swinging beat. DJ Black from the old compilation of early Panamanian reggaeton beat of "El Chombo" and "Cuentos De La Cripta" rocked the crowd with carnival-style dance and lyrics that made the audience chant.
Los Angeles' Honduran-owned with Salvadorian-musicians Bomba Mix, delighted the audience with a refreshing beat of merengue, cumbia and bachata. Another LA band but with a Costa Rican and Cuban flavor was Chino Espinoza Y Los Dueños Del Son put a different note with a splash of Salsa music. From Corozal, Honduras via New York, Fernandez Band gave the people a taste of Garifuna puntarock New York style. It was heart-pounding, non-stop puntarock rhythm machine with that hard core Big Apple flavor where you could hear the congas, the Garifuna Primera drum, the timbales along with the electronic kick bass drum and the hi-hat cymbals. They played their signature song featured in their new album "Roxane".
The First Central American Caribbean Carnival would not have been a complete event without the reggaeton artists like El XProfeta and El Gran Sammy from Honduras and also Alerta 3 from Guatemala and their house-merengue. But the highlight of the carnival had to be the return of Ovidio Giron & Los Ranas. Ovidio Giron came from Grupo Rana in Guatemala, the original voice for many of the successful soca music recordings back in the 80's, via New Orleans. Ovido Giron closed the show with his classic style of songs like "My Secretaria", "El Martillo" and "Colombia Rock". The entire show was MC'd by a well-known Honduran broadcaster who has been living and working in Los Angeles radio market for more than 25 years, Mr. Ricardo Ortiz. Ricardo entertained the audience with his flawless style of comedy, artists' biographies and Central American history. The audience was kept on the dance floor by music played from disc jockeys like Osker, DJ Willie from Vasilio's Night Club, DJ Josue from Panama, DJ Berto from Honduras and DJ Labuga from Guatemala.
People who came to have a good time, to see their favorite band, went home happy and satisfied to have enjoyed a back-home style summer bash. The audience kept talking about how well-organized the event was and how safe they felt in and out of the park. There were jumpers and games for children. The total experience was reminiscent of a sunset concert at a beach in Ceiba, Livingston or Punta Gorda. There was good Panamanian food along with some delicious Salvadorian "pupusas and panes con pollo". There was a Ford Company car exhibit and information booth. And all of the people in attendance had a wonderful view to the Pacific Ocean which also featured the historic Queen Mary boat itself anchored to the man-made island shore. Children and their parents had a good old Central American time with the beat to their favorite band. If you missed it, you better catch it next year and if you were lucky enough to have been there, you know how good it was. I had a great time from 10:00 am until 9:30 pm when the First Central American Caribbean Carnival came to an end thanks to an entrepreneur and community man with family values like Arturo Ruiz. To get more information, you can go on line to www.carnavalcentroamericanousa.com.
 Garifuna Women's Project to honor Andy PalacioSofia and Silvia Blanco, and Desere Diego will headline a tribute in downtown L.A.By Agustin Gurza, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
August 29, 2008
LOS ANGELES TIMES ARTICLE AUG. 29, 2008 - Click on the picture to go to the article from LA Times
Garifuna Women's Project to honor Andy PalacioSofia and Silvia Blanco, and Desere Diego will headline a tribute in downtown L.A.By Agustin Gurza, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
August 29, 2008 Celebrities die every day and pop culture quickly moves on. But for the Garifuna people, descendants of shipwrecked slaves whose culture extends through Belize, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua, world-music sensation Andy Palacio was more than a star. The Belize native, who suffered a fatal heart attack and stroke at the age of 47 in January, was the soul of a culture that many feared had been close to extinction before he committed himself to its rescue and renewal.
Palacio will be the subject of a special musical tribute today at California Plaza in downtown Los Angeles, with members of the Garifuna Collective paying homage to his talent as part of the free Grand Performances series.
"We're very curious ourselves, honestly, to see what effect [Palacio's death] will have on the group," said Dean Porter of Grand Performances. "Although they may not have the, quote-unquote, star quality that Andy had, we know they bring the same authenticity that the audience comes here to engage with."
Nightlife.YellowPages.com/LongBeachSome of the musicians played with Palacio at the venue last year. But this time, the headliners will be three women singers -- Sofia Blanco, her daughter Silvia and Desere Diego -- who are featured on a new album, "Umalali: The Garifuna Women's Project," released domestically on the Cumbancha label.
That collection is the result of a decade of fieldwork. Since 1997, producer Ivan Duran has devoted himself to the Garifuna Women's Project, a systematic effort to search out the strong female voices of this culture. Like a musical anthropologist, he visited remote villages to record women in their kitchens and temples, accumulating enough material for an album and a tour, originally scheduled with Palacio this year.
"You could feel among the women a renewed level of dedication and a sense of urgency after his death," said Duran in Spanish this week from his home in Belize. "We all felt that we had to do everything possible so that this door that Andy opened for us would not close on us again."
The women are the real stars of Garifuna culture, forged through the intermarriage of former African slaves and the indigenous Carib and Arawak Indians. The men like the spotlight, said Duran, but the women are the cultural anchors.
"Garifuna women are very strong," he said. "Traditionally, the men are fishermen and the women are in charge of cultivating the fields, as well as raising the children. They are also the ones responsible for transmitting many aspects of the culture. They have a very distinct timbre to their voices and they bring a whole different sensibility to the music."
The need to preserve the native culture resonated with Duran, who has roots in Catalonia, the area of Spain whose independent identity was threatened under the Franco dictatorship. The acclaimed album he produced for Palacio last year, "Wátina," is credited with sparking the Garifuna renaissance.
"The stage of preservation is past and it's now important to move the music into the future," he said. "That's the only way young people will identify with it. And when the youth stop relating to their own music because they find it boring or old-fashioned, that's when the music will die."
Duran was an infant when his parents moved to Belize in the early '70s, an era of revolution and violence throughout Central America. They established one of the nation's first book publishers, Cubola Productions, specializing in the history and anthropology of Belize.
Two decades later, Duran became his own cultural trailblazer when he launched the first label devoted to Belizean music, Stonetree Records. Before that, artists had to travel to Mexico or the U.S. to record -- Palacio made several records during the 1980s in Los Angeles, where there is a significant Garifuna immigrant community.
(L.A.'s inaugural Garifuna Settlement Day celebration, featuring a hip-hop style lineup, is planned for Nov. 14, with tickets available at Little Belize restaurant in Inglewood and other locations.)
Duran undertook the women's project in 1997, intrigued by their voices and stories. He recorded some 300 songs by 50 women and selected 12 tracks for the album. He added touches of blues, rock, Latin and other styles to make a modern record, not just a historical document.
The music reflects the fusion of African, Spanish and Indian ancestry. Yet, in their relative isolation from the rest of Latin America, these artists preserved an authentic West African style, with high-pitched nasal vocals and echoes of tribal chants. In some songs, you can hear the core 3-2 clave beat of the Garifuna's Afro-Cuban cousins. In others, there are the joyful grooves of Afropop or an edgy electric guitar.
On one track, "Uruwei" (The Government), Duran adds the sounds of a hammock swinging on his porch with ocean waves in the background, enhancing the ambience of the rustic vocal track from his original field recordings.
Duran might have made the music contemporary, but the themes are timeless. In "Nibari" (My Grandchild), Sofia Blanco offers a warning to a wayward granddaughter with a penchant for running away from home. The lyric was written by her husband of almost 40 years, Gregorio, based on a conversation he had overheard on the street.
In "Yunduya Weyu" (The Sun Has Set), Blanco writes her own painful lyric about the difficult birth of one of her four children.
One of the newest members of the Garifuna Collective is singer Lloyd Augustine, 31, formerly with the band Punta Rebels, who switched to more traditional music, such as the rhythmic paranda, partly thanks to Palacio.
Diego, the third vocalist on tonight's bill, is also one of the youngest in the project and one of the most in-demand. Her powerful voice often is heard at dügü ceremonies, a traditional healing ritual.
"On this tour, the important thing is to show that there's so much talent in this community," said Duran. "This project is not summed up in one person or one artist. We want the world to be aware of what we have to offer."
Or as Palacio would often say at concerts: "There's a lot more where I came from."
agustin.gurza@latimes.com
 NORBERTO BERNARDEZ AVILA - Rowing Honduras
REPORTAJE: música
La voz de las mujeres garífunas
El proyecto Umalali revela una cultura afrocaribeña casi perdida
CARLOS GALILEA - Madrid - 06/08/2008
Vota
Resultado 38 votos
Nunca habían cantado de forma profesional. Ni las habían grabado en disco. Son mujeres que se han ocupado de sus hijos y sus hogares hasta que las llamaron para el proyecto Umalali. Su disco ocupa este mes el primer lugar de la lista europea de músicas del mundo y varias de ellas acaban de actuar en Mondragón y La Mar de Músicas en un tributo al malogrado cantante Andy Palacio. La noticia en otros webs
· webs en español
· en otros idiomas
Su disco ocupa este mes el primer lugar de la lista europea de músicas del mundo
Durán: "Lo que más me emociona del álbum es la historia que hay detrás"
El crítico Charlie Gillett ha recurrido a los ejemplos de Sam Phillips en Memphis o Berry Gordy en Detroit, tipos que abrieron negocios discográficos pioneros, para referirse al trabajo del productor Iván Durán con Stonetree Records -distribuye Cumbancha- en un pequeño país de América Central llamado Belice. Desde hace 10 años, este hijo de catalanes ha estado grabando a decenas de garífunas de entre 20 y 86 años. "Mujeres de Honduras, Guatemala y Belice con voces espectaculares", afirma Durán. Unos 250.000 garífunas viven en América Central. Son descendientes de esclavos: dos barcos negreros españoles naufragaron en 1635 frente a la isla de Saint Vincent y los supervivientes terminaron en la costa atlántica. En 2001, la Unesco declaró su lengua, danza y música Patrimonio Oral e Inmaterial de la Humanidad.
En Umalali, con las percusiones garífunas, hay guitarras eléctricas, bajo, saxo tenor... "Hubiera sido muy fácil lanzar un disco con 20 canciones de estas mujeres cantando con tambores o una guitarra aquí y otra allá. Un proyecto que se ha hecho muchísimas veces en todo el mundo. Mi idea fue añadir cosas que no resultaran ofensivas para ningún músico garífuna. No estábamos tratando de hacer una fusión con algo. Se trataba simplemente de enriquecer el arreglo a través de sonoridades y texturas", afirma el productor.
Se turnan las voces agridulces y genuinas de Sofía Blanco, su hija Silvia, Desere Diego, Chela Torres... "Sofía es de Guatemala, tiene 54 años, y nunca cantó fuera de su comunidad. Lo que más me emociona del disco es la historia que hay detrás", dice. "Para estas mujeres la música tiene un uso cotidiano. Uno no canta por cantar. Viajamos un día a Punta Gorda, que está como a cuatro horas de casa, y Sofía y su hija vinieron conmigo en el coche. Salimos muy temprano por la mañana, y a la media hora me ven que estoy conduciendo con un poco de sueño, y se ponen a cantar. Y no pararon en las cuatro horas. Una canción tras otra. En un momento sonó mi móvil y antes de contestar acerqué la mano a la radio para bajar el volumen porque pensaba ya que iba escuchando una emisora", dice riendo Durán.
Cantos rítmicos y de melodías sencillas que se grabaron frente al mar: "Un entorno en el que ellas se sintieran cómodas, pues un estudio es intimidante. Grabamos en una casa normal en la que el equipo estaba en la cocina, una habitación era el cuarto de voces y la sala de estar el de los tambores. Vivíamos ahí. Eso ayudó a que la gente se relajara y se refleja en el disco".
Iván Durán ya había logrado trascender con Wätina, el premiado disco de Andy Palacio, que falleció inesperadamente con 47 años. La muerte de un ser querido, en la cultura garífuna, es una oportunidad para alegrarse por haberlo tenido en la vida de uno. "El entierro de Andy fue de película. Miles de personas cantando y bailando. La cultura garífuna tiene un gran respeto a la muerte y se ve como una continuación", explica Durán. "Yo y mi papá somos los únicos socios del Barça en Belice. A mi hijo de tres meses también lo estamos haciendo socio. Mis padres viajaban por Centroamérica y decidieron quedarse en 1971. Fundaron una de las primeras editoriales del país. Yo he estado yendo a Barcelona todos los años desde que era niño. La mitad del barrio de Gracia es familia mía", cuenta riendo.
 Jerry Castro and Rhodell Castillo at the grand opening of Garifuna Flava Restaurant in Chicago during the weekend of the celebration of the Belize Parkfest Sat. August 2nd 2008.
 La Ceiba, Honduras, C.A. 5 de agosto de 2008. Estimados amigos y amigas: Sobre la base de no desmembrar las tierras de las Comunidades Garifunas de Honduras, se suscribió este día un importante Convenio de Cooperación Interinstitucional entre la Organización de Desarrollo Etnico Comunitario ODECO y el Programa de Administrción de Tierras de Honduras PATH. El acto fue calorizado por los alumnos y alumnas que participan en el segundo módulo del V Diplomado de la Escuela de Formación de Líderes Afrodescendientes en Derechos Humanos. Actuaron como testigos de honor el Señor Alcalde del Municipio de La Ceiba, Dr. Milton Simón González, el Dr. Marco Antonio Sagastume de la Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala y el Doctor Jorge Ramirez Reyna, Director Ejecutivo de ASONEDH, Perú. Reciban nuestros saludos fraternales, Junta Directiva Central ODECO BUSCAMOS VOCES QUE ACALLEN EL SILENCIO...
 Convenio de cooperacion interinstitucional con PATH
La guerra de Alvarez Casildo y Castelar
Roberto Quesada
Racismo es como juzgar el valor de un libro por su portada -Anónimo.
Nos hemos reunido con Céleo Alvarez Casildo, presidente de ODECO
(Organización de Desarrollo Étnico Comunitario) el pasado 30 de julio
en las instalaciones de las Naciones Unidas en Nueva York. Cuando
digo "nos" me refiero a un encuentro de trabajo encabezado por
nuestro embajador ante las Naciones Unidas Jorge Arturo Reina, y el
embajador alterno Iván Romero Nasser.
A partir de allí ya hemos fijado otras reuniones e intercambio de
ideas para realizar de la mejor manera posible la XIV Asamblea
General de la Organización Negra Centroamericana ONECA, que se
realizará en el 777 The Methodist Church Center UN, ciudad de Nueva
York, del 3 al 6 de diciembre de 2008.
Esta Asamblea General de la ONECA promete superar las anteriores si
se toma en cuenta que en esta oportunidad se tiene el respaldo de la
Misión de Honduras ante las Naciones Unidas, así como líderes
de la
comunidad hondureña en Nueva York que, sin distinción de colores
partidistas ni de raza, están entusiasmados para que esta Asamblea
General Centroamericana y del Caribe, liderada por Honduras, sea una
excelente plataforma para mostrar y demostrar que en Honduras se va
por buen camino en cuanto a la inclusión de todos los sectores de la
sociedad, de todas las etnias. Y será lugar propicio para compartir
el legado cultural de la gran etnia Garífuna.
Después de la reunión de las Naciones Unidas, Céleo me invitó a otra
de trabajo y fue impresionante sentir la buena vibra y el ánimo de
gran cantidad de destacados garífunas que viven en la ciudad de Nueva
York. Es notoria la capacidad de convocatoria de Alvarez Casildo y
allí estaba doña Tala, la máxima exponente del arte culinario
garífuna, como siempre evitando que los allí reunidos padecieran de
hambre. Allí estaban completamente afanados, entre otros muchos más,
Mirtha Colón y Celso Castro, José Francisco Avila y Murphie
Valentine, también los panameños Esmeralda Brown y y el Dr. Waldaba
Stewar.
A ellos se han unido Myrna Guerra, Marco Rosales, Mario Ramos, Lucy
Pagoada, y seguramente en el camino se irán agregando otros
hondureños para trabajar voluntariamente por esta hermosa causa, que
en realidad se convierta en causa hondureña, centroamericana, humana.
La
guerra de Céleo Alvarez Casildo y de otros líderes garífunas, sin
duda, ha sido cuesta arriba. Ha sido de batallas ganadas y perdidas,
o por lo menos frustradas, pues no ha sido fácil dar a conocer y
reclamar los derechos del pueblo Garífuna. Ya en mi niñez había visto
yo a alguien que sin ser Garífuna libró varias batallas en pro de
esta etnia. El es el poeta José Adán Castelar, quien, cuando vivimos
en Monte-Cristo, y él era el jefe del Centro Médico de la Standard
Fruit Company, atendía a los garífunas, pescadores muchos de ellos,
completamente gratis. Era una especie de Robin Hood sustrayéndole
medicamentos a la Compañía frutera para brindarlos a los garífunas, a
quienes no amparaban los beneficios de la empresa.
Recuerdo que cuando los garífunas se recuperaban, o volvía a sentirse
bien un hijo enfermo, en agradecimiento iban al centro médico y le
llevaban a "Don Adán": pescado, pan de maduro, pan de coco, machuca,
casabe, etc., que nosotros felizmente degustábamos.
Al poeta Castelar le enviaron un ayudante de nombre Marcelino Güity
(QEPD), garífuna. A Marcelino le gustaba hacernos bromas a los
cipotes y nosotros le llamábamos Marcelino pan y vino. Castelar
orientó a Marcelino para que no se conformara en su empleo de
conserje y le enseñó mucho de enfermería, después lo envió a La Ceiba
a recibir cursos y así Marcelino se convirtió en un enfermero más del
centro médico.
Cuando con mi madre y mis hermanos nos mudamos a La Ceiba, don Adán,
sabiendo que Marcelino vivía en situación difícil, le brindó
completamente gratis la casa a Marcelino y familia. Allí se
desarrollaron los Güity, teniendo un mejor nivel de vida. Testimonio
de todo esto existe en los poemas del poeta Castelar, en donde
menciona a Marcelino y le dedica más de un poema. Asimismo Castelar
es uno de los pocos escritores que desde siempre ha rescatado y
luchado por la cultura garífuna, hecho demostrado sin lugar a
discusión con su poema que aparece en su primer libro Entretando,
sobre el líder sindical garífuna Moisés Moreira.
Así, en ese ambiente de solidaridad, nos criamos mis hermanos y yo.
Pero, sin duda, como se lo comentaba a Céleo, en ese tramo de luchas
y reivindicaciones, siempre surge la gente oportunista, aprovechada.
Hay quienes actúan con negligencia y no quieren que se les reclame
porque inmediatamente se amparan en su condición étnica. No, así las
virtudes como los defectos, no tienen idioma, ni raza, ni sexo. En
caso contrario no habría en el mundo cárceles de mujeres o estarían
vacías, cosa que no es así.
No hace mucho una subalterna de mi hermano, el juez Carlos Eduardo
Castelar, lo prim
ero que hizo, según ella después de año y medio
(¿por qué no lo hizo antes?), fue acusarlo pues se siente víctima de
él: "Esto parece una guerra de sexos, me acosa por ser mujer, además
por el hecho de ser negra".
No pudo haber salida más predecible de la abogada Denia Fabiola
Vargas y buscar la forma de escandalizar para convertirse en víctima
y adquirir fama. Afortunadamente la gente sabe cada vez mejor que
existen quienes aprovechan su condición de sexo o color para causar
lástima y por tanto se les dé la razón aún cuando no la tengan.
Aunque es mejor que ella lo haya hecho público porque en nuestro país
últimamente los abogados están expuestos a que por el mínimo litigio
sus vidas corran riesgo, de esta manera al menos ya se sabe que si
algo sucediera, quiénes pudieran ser los implicados.
El color de piel no debe convertir a nadie en santo, tampoco en
víctima. Lo mejor es investigar los hechos antes de pronunciarse,
pues como seres humanos nos acompaña fielmente la imperfección.
No obstante los obstáculos que se presentan en el camino, debe
continuarse en la lucha por los marginados, independientemente del
color o etnia a que pertenezcan. Debe tomarse ejemplo de la lucha
continua por un mejor futuro para los nuestros como la guerra
emprendida por el líder garífuna Céleo Alvarez Casildo y20el poeta
José Adán Castelar. Y allí ya les conté un ejemplo de que la
superación es posible, tal como lo hiciera, por la solidaridad de
Castelar, Marcelino¦ pan y vino.
Nueva York, NY 4 agosto 2008.
robertoquesada@hotmail.com
GAHFU MEETS YURUMEIN'S PRIME MINISTER AT LAX HILTON HOTEL
 Click on picture to see the entire album of photos taken during the event. PRIME MINISTER OF ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES DR. RALPH GONSALVES
Los Angeles, CA Sat. July 19m 2008 12:10 PM. GAHFU participated in the welcoming of Dr. Ralph Gonsalves to Los Angeles. The Garifuna Teachers of LA and the graduating class were present as well.
Special dignitary from Belize, Mr. Roy Young former Consul of Belize in LA, Honorary Consul of St. Vincen & The Grenadines, Dr. Cadrin E. Gill were also present. Movie stars, Caribbean press staff, scholars as well as other personalities were in attendance.
The Garifuna contingent was addressed by Dr. Gill as he welcome Dr. Gonsalves. GAHFU's Cheryl L. Noralez was on hand to greet the Prime Minister and to address important issues affecting Garinagu.
A few pictures will follow.
GAHFU, Inc.
Dependent and Independent LeadershipHow to separate both in a larger cause for a benefit
An Opinion Lachamuru Jerry Castro
Over the last few years, there has been a great discussion about leadership within the personalities of leadership within the Garifuna community in New York . However, it has yet phased out due to a conflict of dependent and independent approach to lead the cause of the local community and garner results that will inspire the younger generation to advocate and fight for equality in the next generation. Though the topic is deep and need further debate and discussion, the same must recognized the lack of approach in implementing a leadership development that will empower all parties about the cause and sacrifice that is needed to safeguard and advance a Garifuna agenda towards the future.
Historically, we have been following the agenda of others to represent our values. The notion that “we are not ready” is a tactic used to keep the community from moving forward and represent its interest. But until a few years ago, that started to change after years from absence. The decision the Garifuna Coalition to concentrate in the community here is what interests people. Let alone, crafting an agenda to make reality a community center to allow Garifuna youth to learn about who and what they are is a staggering plus. Another example is what the Garifuna American Heritage Foundation has accomplished in the last few years under the leadership of Cheryl Noralez in having a Garifuna school in Los Angeles and host annual discussions about what Garinagu face in America .
This is what led the decision to take it a step further because we are tired of dependency and not been taken serious and in consideration. Under the current, some if not many have milked the community. That’s not leadership, that’s corruption. To combat that, people have to rise up and demand justice, equality and transparency.
Finally, leaders are not born nor made: they rise through the occasion of need. The Reverend Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. did it in the face of all sorts of leadership during the Civil Rights era. He knew that despite of the efforts, government needed to change its policies where “the black man from Harlem ” can get a fare share of the pie. So did Jesus Christ, Martin Luther King Jr. and Barack Obama. Leadership is not a text book approach, what it is an instinct that in hard times and sacrifice, it benefits not only the constituents you serve but the overall mass.
LIBAYA BABA CULTURAL DRUMMERS COME ALIVE AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES
Monday, June 30th 2008
The House of Blues - Hollywood came alive last night with the marverlous performance by Libaya Baba Cultural Drummers. The place was packed wall to wall. There were plenty of Belizean Garinagu supporting the Libaya Baba Crew. They were not disappointed! Libaya Baba rocked the House of Blues from Hungu Hungu, paranda and punta to wanaragua. The audience was heavily Latino who came to be delighted by the sweet sounds of the Garifuna drums. Two girls and one guy came up on stage and started to dance punta as the audience roared in excitement. Then Carlos Gonzalez got on stage to dance the Wanaragua as DBone rolled the primera drum to the sharp moves of the dancer.
Garifuna musicians are coming up to a different level in the Los Angeles area. Thank you once again Libaya Baba! Great job.
GAHFU, Inc.
 A FADING CULTURE CLINGS TO ROOTS (Miami Herald)
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Youssou N'Dour to Tour and Record with
Garifuna Musician Aurelio Martinez as Part of the
Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative
Prestigious grant unites African music legend with rising
Honduran star for an exciting year of artistic collaboration
JUNE 2008 - With the help of luxury watch company Rolex, Afropop legend Youssou N'Dour and the rising Garifuna music star and Cumbancha/Stonetree recording artist Aurelio Martinez will be working closely together over the next year in an inspiring musical reunion between Africa and the Americas. The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative pairs highly talented young artists from around the world with great masters in film, visual arts, theater, dance, and music for a year of creative collaboration in a one on one mentoring relationship. West African superstar N'Dour, chosen by Rolex to be this year's music mentor, personally selected Martinez to be his protégé, inviting the Honduran musician to tour and record throughout the coming year.
Every two years, Rolex invites masters in dance, film, literature, music, theatre and the visual arts to provide individual guidance to gifted young artists. In six disciplines, a senior artist (the mentor) agrees to foster and counsel a young artist (the protégé) for one year. Previous mentors have included Martin Scorsese, Wole Soyinka, Julie Taymor, Pinchas Zukerman, Toni Morrison and other highly recognized figures in the arts.
Martinez is a Honduran born musician who is acclaimed as a central figure in the recent resurgence of the music of the Garifuna, an Afro-Amerindian community whose culturally threatened population lives primarily along the Caribbean coasts of Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. His debut album Garifuna Soul received critical acclaim worldwide and he is a member of the Garifuna Collective, a multi-generational group of Garifuna musicians whose work with the late Andy Palacio on the Cumbancha/Stonetree album Wátina is now legendary in world music circles. Currently, Martinez is fronting the Andy Palacio Tribute Tour, promising to carry the torch for Garifuna culture after Palacio's tragic and untimely death in January 2008. Martinez is the first member of his local Garifuna community to be elected as a representative to the Honduran National Congress, where he is a staunch advocate for the nation's minority populations.
The collaboration fulfills a life long goal of Martinez to reconnect Garifuna music with its African roots. "There is so much I would like to learn from Youssou N'Dour and from Senegal's musical culture," he says. "It is my dream to reconnect Garifuna music with our ancestral homeland." N'Dour also extended praise to his protégé remarking, "The man has talent. I told him that you may be here to learn something, but I tell you, I'm sure I'm going to learn a lot from you!"
The two artists plan to tour together in Europe this year and collaborate on new music in N'Dour's recording studio in Dakar. Producer Ivan Duran has already begun work on Martinez's next album, which will be released in 2009 on Cumbancha/Stonetree.
The Andy Palacio Tribute Tour featuring Aurelio Martinez, Umalali and the Garifuna Collective will be taking place in Europe this summer. For current tour dates, visit www.cumbancha.com.
For press materials please contact:
Simeon Chapin at 802.425.2118 or via email at simeon@cumbancha.com
For more information on the Rolex Mentor Protégé Arts Initiative, visit:
www.rolexmentorprotege.com
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 Libaya Baba at Medgar Evers College, City University of New York during the annual forum on Sat. May 31, 2008
4Th Annual Garifuna Community Forum NY 08
OPEN THANK YOU LETTER
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2008
To: Alfonso Cayetano and Professor Esther Nunez
From: Rony Figueroa
Re: Thank You Letter
First of all, I would like to thank you for your dedication to GAHFU's cause and especially for having helped us to take the 4Th Annual Garifuna Community Forum NY 08 to new heights.
When I first saw the auditorium at Medgar Evers College, I felt proud of the type of venue that the Garifuna community was getting to be the location of the forum. The college is strategically located in one of the nicest neighborhoods of Brooklyn. The auditorium's seating arrangements as well as the large stage were of VIP caliber.
Mr. Cayetano and Professor Nunez, I must say that you really worked hard and diligently to make the annual garifuna forum an event to remember. From the acquisition of the venue to the securing of the right equipment to be used during the forum, you both were very instrumental. Then, the promotion and the advertisement of the forum was another leg of this project which made the difference. The forum was a success because of your commitment to make it happen and I truly appreciate it.
After the forum was over, I had numerous people approached me to let me know how excited they were about what they had just witnessed. People came right and left to offer their help to make the next forum even more successful. But the most important factor of the event was that Garinagu from all over came to be part of "A Garifuna Cultural Exchange Experience". I saw people coming from Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, New Jersey, Boston, Connecticut and Texas as well as people from St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Panama, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago; Caucasian and African-Americans were also present.
In conclusion, I believe that Garinagu have always worked in communal ways and that this is no exception. When Garinagu work together hand in hand, they are able to achieve great things, the forum was a perfect example of working united to attain a collective goal. I strongly think that both participants and the people who attended the forum, felt connected to one another and that we are indeed "One People One Culture".
Yours truly;
Rony Figueroa, VP & Co-Founder
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Tomado de La Tribuna digital
Diputado Martínez premiado como músico garífuna en Londres
Viernes 30 Mayo 2008
Aurelio MartínezLONDRES (EFE).- Un hondureño, el músico, y dos argentinos, el actor Nahuel Emiliano Pérez y la cineasta Celina Murga, figuran entre los elegidos del programa bianual de mecenazgo de Rolex, anunciaron ayer los responsables en Londres.
Estos jóvenes talentos colaborarán con el músico senegalés Youssou N'Dour, la actriz estadounidense de teatro Kate Valk y el director de cine Martin Scorsese, respectivamente.
Como en las anteriores ediciones de este programa, la cuarta entrega de la "Iniciativa Rolex para Mentores y Discípulos", que patrocina la famosa marca de relojes, premia la excelencia en las artes con un intercambio profesional entre un reputado artista y una joven promesa, a modo de mentor y protegido o maestro y discípulo.
En las otras categorías, la escritora australiana Tara June Winch -de ascendencias aborigen, afgana e inglesa- recibirá el consejo del premio Nobel nigeriano Wole Soyinka.
Asimismo, el bailarín estadounidense Jason Akira Somma trabajará con el coreógrafo checo Jiri Kylián y el diseñador japonés Masanori Handa compartirá su concepto del arte con la alemana Rebecca Horn.
Los artistas, que recibirán 25.000 dólares, son elegidos por los propios mentores, con los que pasarán un mínimo de seis semanas trabajando codo con codo.
En declaraciones a Efe, la cineasta argentina, autora de la película independiente "Ana y los otros" (2002), explicó que se puso a gritar cuando le confirmaron que iba a ser la "protegida" de Scorsese, director que admira desde pequeña y que "forma parte de la historia del cine".
Murga, que ya ha pasado un mes observando cómo trabaja el realizador en su nuevo rodaje en Boston (EEUU), indicó que quiere conocerlo "a partir del profundo amor al cine" que comparten ambos.
La argentina, que espera que Scorsese la aconseje con su nueva película, aseguró que es "posible" que su selección para el programa de Rolex tenga que ver con "reconocer y apoyar la cinematografía argentina, que en los últimos años ha crecido mucho".
El hondureño Martínez, que compartirá escenarios con Youssou N'Dour, concibe este programa como un impulso para la difusión y protección de la música garífuna, propia de la comunidad caribeña formada por personas con ascendencia india y africana.
"El premio es una oportunidad para regresar a África, el continente de mis antepasados y al que llevo en el corazón, y unir a través del arte lo que se fue desde allí a América", apuntó el músico hondureño.
Martínez, parlamentario del Congreso de Honduras y presidente de la Comisión de las Etnias, afirmó que pretende cambiar el mundo a través de la música, que es la "manera más sutil de poder entrar en la conciencia del ser humano". (EFE).
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Lachamuru Jerry Castro. The day began with City Hall security escorting Paul Nabor through the gates as members of the Garifuna and Caribbean community from the city and state of New York held a special tribute and honoring on the steps of New York's symbolic legislative buildings. The tribute featured New York City Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs, former and the first Dominican American to be elected to legislative office in the State of New York, Hon. Guillermo Linares, Councilmebers:Kendall Stewart (D-Brooklyn), Mathew Eugene (D-Brooklyn), Melissa Mark-Viverito (D-East Harlem/ElBarrio), Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn), Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion's Office (D-Bronx), Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz (D-Brooklyn), Office of New York State Assemblyman Ruben Diaz, Jr. (D-Bronx), Office of New York State Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., Belize Mission to the United Nations, Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce, World Music Institute and the Garifuna-Caribbean American Organization Coalition. During the City Hall tribute, Proclamations were presented to both the late Andy Palacio and Paul Nabor. Elected officials praised the Garifuna and Caribbean communities of New York and highlighted their commitment to work with these groups. In the afternoon, there was light lunch of fried fish, fulitas (smashed fried bananas, rice and beans with coconut and beans) over at the Garifuna restaurant in the Bronx with Paula Castillo and Paul Nabor. The Concert was something remarkable. First with Michael Stone (Princeton University) pre-concert talk that featured the artists. In one moment, Rolando "Chichiman" Sosa choked and held back emotions describing the work with Andy Palacio. Some in the crowd felt it and slowly dried their tears as well, hugging and embracing themselves for support. Aurelio Martinez danced and dazzled. Like a figure skater in the Olympics, he went for the Gold. People sang, clapped and danced. Lloyd Augustine was like John Legend: crisp and to the point. One concert highlight was when Aurelio Martinez's mother silenced everybody in the hall with the melodic voice. He had been talking about his singing skills and crediting his mother. To hear the woman or the source come out like that was simply breathtaking. The Main Event was when Aurelio Martinez told the crowd about the evening's special guest. When Paul Nabor got on stage, it was like Barack Obama just won the Presidency. People jumped out their seats. They sang along - "lau bala banda habunanei". About four rows behind me, my mother had took off her shoes and tighten her Garifuna head scarf. When I turned to check, her arms were wide opened, eyes closed and looking to the sky, singing and moving along the main event. Next to me were a group as well who just could not sit. They knew all the songs and served as invincible chorus. sitting next to me was the representative from the Bronx Borough President Office who went on stage to read the Proclamation from the 1.3 million residents of the Bronx. She too clapped, shook the leg and and couldn't stay still. Cameras tried to captured the moment, but it was too dark. No flashes, please. On stage, Paul Nabor moved like a 45 year old. No, a 35 year old. No, a 25 year old. No, more like a 21 year old. He danced, moved, sang, stood still. Looked at the people who appreciated the music. When he jumped to end a session, the hall went wild! Black, white, garifuna Hispanic, Asians, Africans, Caribbeans all stood up and hailed the Chief. Yes, it was a good Day in New York indeed! What a way to celebrate Garifuna Heritage and Survival Month.
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 Sandra Bell's Tribute To Andy Palacio in New York Feb. '08
Lachamuru Jerry Castro
On Sunday May 2nd, the New York Garifuna community hosted an event to
honor the life and legacy of Garifuna cultural icon, Andy Palacio.
The event drew hundreds of young, middle aged and Garinagu seniors to
be part of a memorable event. Organized by the legendary Sandra Bell and
Irene Aranda, the tribute to the late Andy Palacio was a reminder of
Garifuna accomplishment, pride and progress.
The performances were great: James Lovell, Paula Castillo, Juan "Cabo"
Noralez, illagulei dance company, Hechu Garinagu and J. King to name a
few. There was also a video tribute and scenes of the burial procession
in Belize.
Though every act was great and phenomenal the closing of the event
marked the significance of Andy Palacio's effort and hard work to make
Garinagu aware of their culture.
Men, women and children gathered in the middle of the hall to sing one
of Andy's hallmark song, "Watina". Everyone held hands and sang the
song. It didn't matter whether you were Garifuna or not. Everyone picked
up the line, sang along, held on to both his daughter and legacy. Some
closed their eyes to feel not only the beat, but the song and its
meaning.
One senior said it was supposed to be a tribute but in the end it was a
celebration of the accomplishments, the legacy and life of The
Honorable Andy Palacio.
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PRENSALIBRE.COM reporta un incidente en La Buga - Livingston, Izabal
 Jueves 21 de Febrero del 2008: Turba toma como rehenes a 18 policías en Livingston, Izabal. El licenciado Benchito Ellington reporta: para informacion y conocimiento de todos quienes estan preocupados por la situacion en Labuga, Livingston, Guatemala. El grupo de personas no son guerrilleros, ellos pertenecen a la Coordinadora de Organizaciones Campesinas conocida como CONIC, su molestia y demandas son contra las autoridades, por su inconformidad con la captura de su lider el señor Ramiro Choc, quien en se encuentra encarcelado. Las manifestaciones aparte del cierre del comercio, oficinas publicas, escuelas y colegios, no esta afectando la integridad de las personas, salvo los agentes de la policìa que han sido detnidos como rehenes. En la manifestacion, segun noticias nacionales participan unas 1000 personas, todas ellas o la mayorìa de la etnia Maya Q'eqchi. Mario G. Ellington Lambe
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Tribute to Andy Palacio Concert Tour to Begin in April
Andy Palacio Tribute Tour to Begin in April
Dear Friends,
As many of you know, Belizean musician and cultural ambassador Andy Palacio passed away suddenly on January 19th. The loss of such a wonderful individual and talent is truly heartbreaking, and all of us who knew Andy have been mourning his untimely death.
Andy Palacio & the Garifuna Collective had been gearing up for a great deal of touring in 2008, and Andy was looking forward to being accompanied by women from the Umalali project whose album will be released in March. After talking it over with the members of the Collective and Umalali, as well as with the venues that were planning to present the shows, all of us have agreed that the best tribute to Andy's memory will be to continue with and even expand the touring plans for 2008. As a tireless advocate for Garifuna music and culture, we know that Andy would have wanted us to keep Garifuna music in the international spotlight and demonstrate to the world the depth of talent that exists in the Garifuna community.
Indeed, the Garifuna Collective includes a number of exceptional artists who represent the depth of Garifuna musical expression. The album Wátina featured many of these talents, and we have invited some of them to join the tour and offer up their voices in celebration of Andy's memory and his broader mission of bringing Garifuna music to the world. The tour will feature Aurelio Martinez, an amazing young singer from Honduras whose album Garifuna Soul was highly praised in the world music press, Adrian Martinez, who sang and composed the moving song "Baba" from the Watina album and who is a rising young star at home in Belize, and Lloyd Augustine, one of Belize's most popular young musicians. Like Andy in his youth, Lloyd is a punta rocker and parandero supreme, and he is blessed with an amazing voice and stage presence. In addition, three women from the Umalali project will be participating in the tour.
We are certain that this lineup will produce a concert experience that will be truly moving and memorable.
Also, we would like to announce that the Garifuna Collective has established the Andy Palacio Garifuna Music Education Fund to continue Andy's mission in bringing Garifuna music to the next generation of Belizeans. This fund will be used to provide instruments, classes and training workshops for young Garifuna musicians. Please make a donation at http://www.stonetreerecords.com.
In the Garifuna community, the death of a loved one is an opportunity to celebrate their life with music and dance. Please spread the word and join us as we commemorate the life and mission of Andy Palacio with these special concerts in memory of this beloved icon of Garifuna music and culture.
Sincerely,
Cumbancha
TRIBUTE TO ANDY PALACIO CONCERT TOUR
Featuring the Garifuna Collective, Umalali, Aurelio Martinez and more
TOUR DATES
4/4
New York, NY
Symphony Space
4/8-10
Louisville, KY
Kentucky Center
4/18-19
Atlanta, GA
Rialto Center
4/20
Miami, FL
Carnival Center
4/23
Chicago, IL
Old Town
4/25-26
Lafayette, LA
Festival Internationale
4/27
Houston, TX
International Festival
4/30
Burlington, VT
Higher Ground
5/2
Philadelphia, PA
Annenberg Center
5/3
Washington DC
Lisner Auditorium
8/29
Los Angeles, CA
Grand Performances
More shows to be added. Visit http://www.cumbancha.com/ for updates
The Garifuna Collective, Umalali and special guests will tour the US and Europe
to commemorate the life and music of the late Andy Palacio
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LUTHER CASTILLO INTERVIEW
2-12-08
¡SALUD! – the award-winning film about Cuba’s medical outreach programs to the developing world – will be shown Monday evening, February 25, at 7:30 in UCSB’s Campbell Hall. The film will be accompanied by Dr. Luther Castillo, a graduate of Cuba’s Latin American Medical School (the world’s largest), and Diane Appelbaum, U.S. Director of Medical Education Cooperation with Cuba (MEDICC. MEDICC is a non-profit organization based in Atlanta, whose mission is to promote health equity globally by enhancing cooperation among US, Cuba and, and global health communities.
Dr. Luther Castillo – named by Rotary International’s Tegucigalpa chapter as Honduran Doctor of the Year – received his medical training at Cuba's Latin American Medical School (ELAM), where some 10,000 students from poor communities around the world are receiving full scholarships for a six-year medical education. These young doctors, including almost 100 from the US. will return to their underserved communities to practice the kind of medicine they learn in Cuba: population-based, with an emphasis on prevention and public health Dr. Castillo is currently building a hospital that will serve the impoverished Garifuna region on Honduras’ Atlantic coast.
For the past seven years, Diane Appelbaum, a nurse practitioner and medical educator has been the US Director of MEDICC, overseeing many of the organization’s projects, including support for graduates of Cuba's ELAM, such as Luther. Diane is no stranger to Santa Barbara: she was one of the founders of the Santa Barbara News & Review (precursor to the Independent), as well as the West Side Neighborhood Medical Clinic, which has grown into the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics.
Beautifully filmed in Cuba, South Africa, The Gambia, Honduras and Venezuela, the film ¡SALUD! traces the conflicting agendas that mark the quest for global health. Coming at a time when the world is struggling with glaring health disparities, ¡SALUD! examines the remarkable case of Cuba, a poor country with what the BBC calls “one of the world’s best health systems.” In the words of former President Jimmy Carter, who appears in the film, “Of all the so-called developing nations, Cuba has by far the best health system. And their outreach program to other countries is unequaled anywhere.”
¡SALUD! was produced and directed by Connie Field, the celebrated activist filmmaker best known for her now-classic Rosie the Riveter. It has played at numerous film festival and won many awards. Dr. Paul Farmer, who has lead a global crusade against Malaria, TB, and other infectious diseases, praises ¡SALUD! as “compelling, upbeat and moving, a great tool for learning the much there is to learn from Cuba.”
I interviewed Luther Castillo while he was on the east coast, raising funds for his hospital.
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Richard Appelbaum: First, tell me a little about yourself, and your community
Luther Castillo: I was born in a small community on the Miskito coast of Honduras. My people are Garifuna. We are of African descent. We live along the Central American Caribbean coast, and came to Honduras in 1797, 211 years ago. The Garifuna region is one of the poorest in Honduras, which is itself one of the poorest countries in the world; half of the Honduran population lives in poverty. It is often said, “where the Garifuna community begins, the paved road ends.” Until recently, we had no medical services. We are far from the capital Tegucigalpa, and Honduran doctors did not want to work in our region. There are 6,000 doctors in Honduras – but none to serve us.
RPA: How did you become involved in medical work?
LC: The cost of going to medical school in Honduras is high. It took 150 years from its founding for the first Garifuna to be admitted. We were hit hard by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, and Cuba began sending teams of doctors in rotation – some 200 over the past ten years – and I saw an opportunity to help my people.
In 1999 I was fortunate to be able enroll in the Latin American Medical School in Havana – the school depicted in the film ¡SALUD! – and train under the Cuban concept of medicine, which values solidarity and humanity over profits. Cuba’s medical school – the largest in the world, and virtually free of cost – teaches you to go wherever the people need the work. I came back determined to build a model of health care that will serve the needs of poor people, not just those who can afford it. We were taught to look at people as patients, not as clients.
RPA: Tell me about your Ciriboya Community Hospital project. I understand your clinic will serve as a regional hospital for some 80,000 people throughout the Garifuna communities, providing – in addition to its clinic – round-the-clock emergency services, medical training, and public health outreach.
LC: This is the first hospital in the Garifuna region. After I returned from medical school in Cuba I organized the other students who were trained there; we began by donating fifteen days of vacation every year to work in the Garifuna communities. In 2004 we decided that providing visiting doctors wasn’t enough – what we really needed was a permanent facility, a small hospital. We began with a space for delivering babies, and rooms for brief hospital stays, and have since added a lab, dental office, and other facilities. We also train doctors in residency, thanks to the help Cuban and Garifuna doctors who serve us – some in rotation, some working full-time in the hospital. And we have been remarkably successful. For example, the infant mortality in Honduras is 30.8 per thousand live births; in our area, it is less than a third of that (10.1). The maternal mortality rate in our region is a quarter of that elsewhere in the country.
RPA: As impressive as that is, I understand this is only the beginning – that you are in the process of expanding your hospital.
LC: We are raising some $700,000 to finish the job. We hope to add rooms for surgery and pediatrics, a library and pharmacy, classrooms, and so forth. We are raising money “brick by brick;” you can donate a “brick” for $30. I am currently traveling across the United States to raise that money.
RPA: I understand you are receiving support from labor unions in the U.S.
LC: In 2001 we were visited by Bill Camp, Executive Secretary of the Central Labor Council of the AFL-CIO in Sacramento, and California Lieutenant-Governor John Garamendi. The unions have been a source of support ever since, sending volunteers to work in the medical brigades. They had a fund-raising dinner for me last week in Sacramento.
RPA: How does the medical establishment in Honduras feel about your efforts to provide free medical care to the poor?
LC: From the beginning there have been death threats. It is dangerous work. This new concept of medicine is not popular with the medical society of Honduras – they feel we are taking their “clients” away. We treated more than 68,000 people in one year; they see this as lost income. Doctors in Honduras study medicine to become rich, so this new concept is threatening.
RPA: What is it you need most right now?
LC: Right now we need human resources, money for infrastructure, and sustainability. The latter is the most important. The people in our community are too poor to pay for medical care; yet it costs about $1,500 a month to sustain a doctor. This is not much by U.S. standards, but it is a lot for us. Long-term support for doctors would be a great help. It is important to remember that what we are creating is more than a small hospital on the Miskito coast of Honduras. We are creating a model that can be used wherever there are poor people: A model of free health care for those who need it most.
 Proyecto Nacimiento USA - Hospital en Ciriboya, Honduras
 Dr. Luther Harry Castillo - Doctor Hondureño Garifuna graduado en Cuba.
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 Students taking part in the Human Rights training module; 36 Garifuna leaders belonging to 16 communities in Honduras were promoted with a diploma and the majority were young candidates.
Apreciables amigos y amigas: El día de ayer concluyó el primer Módulo del IV Diplomado de la Escuela de Formación de Líderes Afrodescendientes en Derechos Humanos (segundo grupo), en el cual participaron 36 líderes procedentes de 16 Comunidades Afrohondureñas, principalmente jóvenes. La jornada se realizó entre los días 12 y 15 de febrero. Se recibió la visita de los hermanos Denis y German Rochez, quienes compartieron con las y los estudiantes, así mismo, se contó con la visita de los señores John Reed y Norman Sagastume, funcionarios de la Fundación Interamericana. Saludos fraternales, Junta Directiva Central ODECO BUSCAMOS VOCES QUE ACALLEN EL SILENCIO...
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EDWIN COLON - XANTHE FILMS
In case you don't know me, my name is Edwin Colon and I am an independent filmmaker from Belize. I have lived in Chicago since 2005 and started Xanthe Films, a Chicago based motion picture company in 2006, with my friend and business partner, Dr. Ludwig Palacio, a veterinarian from my hometown in Belize. The main purpose for the formation of the company was to produce and market films that will help to establish a cinema industry in Belize. Presently, our main project is called Agada and is based on Dr. Palacio's screenplay from his book which was published in 1998. Agada is a funny, sexy drama about Agada, a 31-year-old Garifuna lady who surprises her community by becoming the first local woman to be tried in a British Colonial court for stealing a bunch of bananas in order to feed her children. In front of the entire town who crowded the courthouse, Agada wins her case by justifying her crime as compensation for child support by her accuser. Agada combines a number of elements that position the film for success in the U.S., Belize and international markets: a beautiful young and gifted Garifuna woman in the lead role, promising to attract young female and male viewers; a compelling story that combines such proven genres as the coming of age story; a distinctive blend of cultural influences that capitalizes on the increasingly international taste of arthouse audiences; and the muscle of an established production company with the support of a well experienced crew. Agada features the Garifuna culture that was recently declared as an oral and intangible heritage by UNESCO and popularized by the late Belizean Garifuna musician, Andy Palacio who is the author's first cousin and was part of the crew for Agada. Shortly before his death, Andy Palacio received the WOMEX Award, the BBC Music Award and was named Ambassador for Peace by UNESCO. All these accomplishments brought new interest in the Garifuna culture and history thus making Andy's album "Watina" a top selling album for 2007. The same will happen for Agada. Agada's Director of Photography is Robert Tutman, who worked for CBS in Chicago for the past 40 years and became an Emmy nominee for his work with Bill Cosby. The Belize Film Commission, National Garifuna Council and Government of Belize are all participating in the making of this historic film that will bring a huge return on investments just as Andy's album did. Presently, we are seeking the assistance of close friends and relatives who would like to participate financially in the project. The funds sought now will be used to complete the pre-production process for the movie that we want to shoot in April 2008 for completion by the summer. We will make special mention of your contributions in our film and on promotional materials. For those who make higher contributions, your name will appear either as "co-producer", "associate producer" or "executive producer" in the finished product. We desperately need your support, as we get ready to travel to Belize this month and begin to make our mark in world cinema. Our film project will also Please support us now by making a kind contribution using a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or with your bank account using the secure services of PayPal through the links below. Please click on your donation amount to proceed: 1. CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION OF $100 2. CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION OF $200 3. CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION OF $300 4. CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION OF $400 5. CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION OF $500 6. CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION OF $1000 7. CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENT CONTRIBUTION ($25 - $2,000) I thank you in advance for your kind contribution. A report of your contribution will be provided to you by our company's accountant. Sincerely, Edwin Francis Colon
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New York Foundation Grant will enable the Garifuna Coalition to Develop Garifuna Advocacy Center
The goal is to establish a resource center for the Garifuna Community FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 19, 2008 Contacts: José Francisco Ávila (917) 783-5298 info@garifunacolaition.org www.garifunacoalition.org New York - The Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization is delighted to announce that the Board of Directors of the New York Foundation has authorized a grant of $42,500 to develop an advocacy Center to provide social services and advocate for community members. "The support of the New York Foundation, offers an opportunity to build the community institution that we seek and look forward to building the administrative capacity of our organization," said Jose Francisco Avila, treasurer of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. The Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc., has operated as a volunteer organization with no paid staff. While the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. has organized successfully without the support of a paid staff person and an office of its own, it realizes that to continue in this fashion would severely limit its ability to broaden its programs in a dependable way. Therefore, the New York Foundation's funds will help in the achievement of that goal. The funds raised will be utilized to support the staff position of one organizer as well as to pay for basic organizational infrastructure such as an office, and telephone. To assure the sustainability of the Center, the Garifuna Coalition has launched a fundraising campaign, seeking financial support from the Garifuna Community' and friends of the community, in addition to the elected officials. It has also scheduled various fundraising activities during the upcoming months and New Horizon Investment Club has agreed to donate part of the proceeds of their Annual Carnival Dance, scheduled for Saturday, May 31. "We are very grateful to the Board of Directors of the New York Foundation for authorizing the grant and for their belief and support in our organizing efforts as we strive to secure a future for our community," said Rejil Solis, president of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. The Bronx is home to the largest Garifuna Community in the |
