Wayne Middleton is working on his documentary called "Finding Garifuna". Synopsis: Questions of cultural identity are explored in this musically driven documentary. Central Americans of African descent...Click on the link find out more about this film in the works.
QUEST OF THE CARIB CANOE REVIEW
Quest of the Carib Canoe....Carib Indian artist and activist Jacob Frederick, and others from his community, sail nearly 1000 miles in a hand built canoe from their home on the island of Dominica in the British West Indies to South America in a voyage to rediscover their ancestral heritage. Director Eugene Jarecki generously donated this extremely rare film for presentation. Special guests for the evening include poet Kantuta and Cheryl Noralez of the Garifuna Heritage Foundation, an Indigenous organization in LA that focuses on the preservation of Carib and African roots!
(Sponsored in Association with the Garifuna American Heritage Foundation United, Japanese American National Museum, SCIC-InterTribal Entertainment, Hecho de Mano, and Nahui Ohlin)
Bringing the Circle Together: A Native American Film Series is a FREE monthly film series located in downtown Los Angeles at the National Center for Preservation of Democracy. For More information on the film series please email nafilmseries@aol.com or visit www.bringingthecircletogether.com
The screening of the movie on Thursday, June 18th, 2009, was a moving event. The opening prayer was offered by Arufudahati Ruben Reyes (teacher) from Garifuna Culture & Language School. Little did I know that we were all going to be treated to a journey to the past, a spiritual journey especially for those who are familiar with the Garifuna oral history. After the prayer, we were all led inside the medium size theatre which seats around 200 people.
Once inside the venue, Kantuta a Native-American played her flute, read some beautiful poems and greeted the audience in both English and Spanish. Her message allowed me to enter a spiritual world, a peaceful cloud overtook me and I was, by know, liberated of all worries, nothing matter but what was about to happen then and there.
The Quest Of The Carib Canoe is a transcendental documentary that tells the story of a Carib man, Jacob Frederick, a craftsman, and his long time friend, a Tortolian Artist Aragorn Dick-Read who traveled to the island of Dominica. They decided to build a canoe the old fashion way. They built it from scratch and worked on it for days on. The idea was to trace back the route that the ancestors took from the Orinoco delta in South America through the Lesser Antilles until they arrived to what is now Dominica. Their ancestors are the Carib people who today still live the way they used to live in reservations around Venezuela and the Guyanas.
The entire journey took at least two years to make it a reality. The crew in charge of this monstrous project struggled with funding for the trip which included a film crew, traveling in a motor boat full of food, equipment and other supplies for the entire 800 mile trip from island to island. The named the small dugout boat that they built the “Gli Gli” which is a Carib work for a hawk. During the trip, the “Gli Gli” made stops in different islands where there are people descendants of the Carib Indians like St. Lucia, Martinique, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago until they reached mainland Venezuela and navigated into the Orinoco river.
Among the people in the audience watching the film, there were anthropologists, students, Native Americans and 3 Garinagu; Cheryl L. Noralez, Isani Figueroa and Ruben Reyes. As I sat in the front of the theater, I could see the audience captivated by the documentary. As for me, I felt the enjoyment of knowing that Cheryl, Isani and Ruben were fascinated and overjoyed by the idea of tracing back the path that their own people took during the time that the Caribs and the Arawaks ruled the Antilles. Both of these Amerindian tribes interacted and mixed and they eventually met with the Africans who had landed in St. Vincent & The Grenadines to give birth to the Garifuna.
Garinagu, today, still preserve their culture, language and music which they brought back from Yurumein (St. Vincent) as they were exiled by the British in 1797. They still chant the same songs they sang while in the motherland. Garinagu were a prosperous people in the island but as they were defeated by the British they were forced into exile. After their paramount chief Joseph Chatoyer was killed, the British gave the Garinagu a choice; either go into exile in Central America or stay in Yurumein and forget about their culture, language and food. Today, there are Garinagu living in reservations in St. Vincent who still remember who they are and want to reconnect, but unfortunately, they have lost their language which is the lifeline of the Garifuna culture. Now, thanks to the survival of the exiled Garinagu they have managed to keep their culture and language alive. There seems to be a renaissance and renewed interest by the Garinagu in Yurumein to be reaculturated and to reconnect with one another.
In conclusion, the Quest Of The Carib Canoe is a documentary that serves as a tool for the people of Carib descent to regain their identity, maintain their pride and honor their ancestors.
GARIFUNA CULTURE & LANGUAGE SCHOOL COMES ALIVE IN ITS 3RD SESSION FOR 2009
On Saturday, June 13, 2009, GAHFU’s Garifuna Culture and Language School started its third 8-week session of the year with a vibrant group of students. One new class was added for those interested in learning Garifuna Dance and the long awaited Drumming Class was brought back by popular demand.
The Garifuna community of Los Angeles young and old responded in numbers by attending our opening session. The Garifuna Culture and Language class started at 10:00 am and ended at12:00 noon followed by the Drumming and Conversational class and the Garifuna Dance classes from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm. The Blazer Learning Center is the home of our school. The Blazer learning center is located at 1517 West 48th Street Los Angeles , CA 90062 (323) 898-6841. The two sessions of language and drumming were broadcasted live on 3 of the most popular Garifuna websites: www.labuga.com, www.garitv.com and www.garinet.com.
Thanks to the hard work that the teachers and staff have put into this project, we have been able to celebrate one year and three months at the Blazer location. GAHFU, Inc. would like to thank our Teachers and Founding Fathers Clifford Palacio, Sidney Mejia, Ruben Reyes, Carlos Domingo Alvarez, Melecio Gonzalez.. We also want to thank Mr. Benny Davenport, Carlton Davenport and the staff from The Blazer Learning Center for making this project possible. A big thanks goes to Nichole Martinez our Secretary and to Ms. Helen Laurie, Community Liaison. In addition, our gratitude goes to our funding source The Alliance for California Traditional Arts. We couldn’t forget the people who have given their donations through our website www..garifunaheritagefoundation.org.
GAHFU, Inc. also welcomes our new staff to the school: Ms. Anita Martinez, Georgette Lambey and Luisito Martinez. Ms. Martinez will be teaching a new class in Garifuna History and Culture in the month of July 2009. Anita brings to our organization years of experience working with our youth as the President and Founder of Wagia Meme Dancers. Wagia Meme Dance Group is a non-profit organization and it has performed in such events like the annual Bob Marley Day Reggae Fest in Long Beach , CA. and many others. Ms. Georgette Lambey has been involved in cultural events in the Los Angeles area for a long time not only as a singer, dancer and drummer but also as a teacher. She has choreographed cultural groups for presentations all over Southern California . Georgette has recorded three albums as a solo artist and along with Belize ’s finest Nuru.. Luisito Martinez came to us via New York where he danced for Wanichigu Dance Group. He was part of Giriga Impacto punta rock band which traveled all over the United States in numerous performances.. Then, he moved to Los Angeles and joined the well-known local band Punta Cartel.
Arufudahati Ruben Reyes is so dedicated to this noble cause that he has spearheaded the opening of a Garifuna Museum on site. The Garifuna Museum is planning to have not only Garifuna artifacts but also books, photos and any other valuable objects that can be displayed to the public. So far, Juan Martinez has taken it upon himself to build a life size Wanaragua dancer dressed with an attire that was tailored in Honduras . For more information about the Garifuna Museum of Los Angeles and if you are interested in donating or lending a piece that can be displayed, you can contact Mr. Reyes (323) 864-1007.
We would like to share some of the pictures taken during our grand opening of our third session for 2009. If you are interested in attending classes, please contact GAHFU, Inc. You can also participate in our sessions via internet every Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Pacific Standard Time. Please make a donation! Your kind contribution will play a vital role in preserving the Garifuna legacy and help us make this project grow and reach out to more people.
GARIFUNA DANCING LESSONS
Felix Gamboa: Born in Santa Rosa de Aguan in Honduras many people know me through Wanichigu Dance company, Nuwani Dance company some may know me through Garifuna International Band.a couple of month back I sent a flyer thought this network that said: Coming to the Bronx expressing my interest in having dance classes in the Bronx, however I had difficulties finding a place that would be accessible to our people. I have now found a very centric and well known location at 125 street in the famous Harlem. classes are being held at ADAM CLAYTON POWELL JR. STATE BUILDINGLocated at 163 west 125 street. Third floor every Tuesday from 7:pm to 9:pm Classes are completely free throughout this whole month of June.Classes are already in progress Next class is Tuesday June 2nd Come send your children or come all...Lets burn some calories this summer with BODOMA explosive drums. If further information is needed you may email your inquires to gamboafelix@yahoo.comor call 917 319 6478
LEARN GARIFUNA THROUGH GARIFUNA CLASSES IN NEW YORK AREA:
VISIT OUR BLOG AT Honduransagainstaids.blogspot.com
New Drumming and Conversational Garifuna and Garifuna Dance classes added!
ABUYABA - GARIFUNA TEMPLE This is the Dabuyaba located in Quehueche - Chewecha Livingston, La Buga Guatemala. This structure is where the Garifuna spirituality comes alive. Fermin is trying to get the temple recognized by the Catholic Church in Guatemala. He has already taken the initial steps to meet and discuss with the clergy in the area the future of this House of Prayer. If you are interested in contacting Fermin Arzu to help continue the work he is doing in La Buga, please feel free to call him at (347) 604-2827. This picture was taken on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 and it shows the front side of the Dabuyaba which also has a Gayusa quarters, a Drummers quarters, bathrooms and kitchen. The temple is also equipped with electricity and its own water well and electric water pump.
This picture shows the inside of the Dabuyaba looking to the front entrance door towards the Caribbean Sea. You can notice the three drums used during the ceremony of the DUGU.
The Drums.
Fermin Arzu as he discusses his plans for the Dabuyaba with Cheryl L. Noralez and Rony Figueroa.
Carta del Dr. Luther Castillo al Presidente de Hondurasdurante la celebracion del mes de la Herencia Africana:
Excelentísimo Sr. Presidente de la República Manuel Zelaya Rosales.
Compañeros y compañeras, líderes Garífunas herederos de Satuyé y Barauda.
Hermanos y hermanas que nos abrazan con su calor desde cada una de las comunidades Garífunas de nuestro país.
Hoy en esta histórica Bahía de Trujillo donde yace la sangre de nuestros ancestros reivindicamos el sudor y el esfuerzo de aquellos que día a día luchamos por enaltecerla.
En el marco glorioso del Mes de la Herencia Africana conmemoramos un año más en que esta tierra fue bendita. Bendita porque hace mas de dos siglos pisó su suelo la planta africana trayendo consigo la Riqueza que hoy la engalana.
Hoy a 212 años, nuestros mismos tambores símbolo de la resistencia, armas poderosas de lucha, nos convocan impostergablemente a una profunda reflexión de nuestra realidad histórica.
El espíritu de nuestros ancestros nos ordena hoy reorientar la conducción del destino de nuestro pueblo, a retomar el verdadero liderazgo de Satuyé y Barauda.
Un liderazgo capaz de diferenciar la plática de la práctica, ineludiblemente vinculada en el pueblo, por el pueblo y para el pueblo. Y no los pseudos liderazgo a control remoto ejercido desde la comodidad de las grandes ciudades, totalmente desvinculado de la realidad cotidiana de una comunidad que se desangra y agoniza ante la pérdida sistemática de sus valores espirituales y culturales.
Satuyé y Barauda nos heredaron un liderazgo huérfano de intereses mezquinos y de ambiciones personales, cultura crustácea perpetuada por un sistema que con migajas nos dividen y luego con una desfachatez impúdica nos demandan y nos llaman a la unidad.
Hoy nuestro pueblo es víctima de un seudo liderazgo importado de modelos occidentales, convertidos en instrumentos de destrucción, división, efervescencia de pequeños conflictos, dirigidos a debilitar la armonía, la paz y la convivencia solidaria heredada por Satuyé y Barauda.
Los impostores que pretenden imitar, sepan que la imitación es el culto que le rinde la mediocridad al talento.
Hoy desde esta trinchera cívica, de manera categórica les hago entrega del mensaje enviado por Satuyé, Barauda y Nuestros Ancestros a todos aquellos oportunistas, traficantes de la miseria de nuestro pueblo; Sus acciones No prevalecerán.
De igual manera nuestros ancestros nos hacen un llamado a la juventud a asumir nuestro verdadero papel en este momento histórico, en cambiar todo lo que debe ser cambiado, con igualdad y libertad plena, emanciparnos por nosotros mismos y con nuestros propios esfuerzos, desafiando poderosas fuerzas dominantes dentro y fuera del ámbito social, defendiendo valores en los que se cree el precio de cualquier sacrificio, con modestia, desinterés, altruismo, solidaridad y heroísmo, luchando con audacia, inteligencia y realismo. Sin mentir jamás principios éticos, con una convicción profunda que no existe fuerza en el mundo capaz de aplastar la fuerza de la verdad y las ideas, dispuestos a luchar por nuestra unidad, independencia, luchar por nuestros sueños de justicia para Honduras y para el mundo, que es la base de nuestro patriotismo, conscientes hoy mas que nunca de nuestro verdadero concepto de Patria, no es el amor ridículo a la hierva de la tierra que pisan nuestras plantas, es el odio invencible a quien la oprime y al rencor eterno a quien la ataca.
Barauda viva en el espíritu de nuestras mujeres Garífunas de hoy, nos exige Hoy como aquella airada tarde en San Vicente que instiga a Satuyé a la acción cuando firmemente le recrimina diciéndole: “Hagadeiruñein alunduna wachari ani manigitibu lun bereguniña, runoun nigundun bun bichigoumen bigalasun nun ñindunamuga erereguaña” que traducido al español significa lo siguiente: “Los ingleses están destruyendo nuestros cultivos y no tienes el valor de hacerles la guerra, dame tus pantalones y te daré mis faldas que yo iré a hacerles la guerra”.
Es el mismo llamado enérgico que Barauda nos hace hoy, para que con valentía defendamos nuestro derecho a la vida manifestada en todas sus expresiones: salud, desarrollo, cultura y una educación propia, enmarcado en nuestro contexto cultural que nos permita forjar nuestro propio destino. Concepto que no entiende el Ministro de Educación Marlon Brevé, que se ha convertido en el mayor enemigo de la educación intercultural bilingüe, que no hemos ido tras él como pueblo porque no queremos emborronar arpías.
Hoy sumamos 212 años de que como Cultura propiamente dicha, llevamos transitando el camino de la resistencia. 212 años luchando contra el olvido y la indiferencia.
Pero hoy un Espíritu de cambio transita por el mundo y la inclusión en el desarrollo, ya no es solo un Derecho de los pueblos, sino un deber de todo negro latinoamericano.
Reconocer en todo tiempo que no somos objetos, sino sujetos de pensamiento activo en el Estado de Derecho que conformamos.
Hemos tenido que alzar la voz para trascender la sordera de aquellos que están hipoacúsicos, porque no quieren oír, ignorando que nuestra diversidad cultural es una riqueza reconocida y declarada así por la UNESCO como “ La Obra Maestra del Patrimonio Real e Intangible de la Humanidad ”.
La Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU) en su afán de garantizar los derechos, que por nuestra simple condición de humanos debemos gozar; ha creado los espacios para que todo hombre y mujer, para que niño y niña tenga el pleno derecho de aprender a leer y a escribir en su propia lengua, estudiar su propia cultura, y a ser consciente de su historia de como parte de una civilización ha traído consigo en su viaje ancestral desde otro continente.
Cultura es la respuesta a la pregunta que cualquiera se formule en torno al sentimiento que como Garífunas compartimos.
Cultura es la fuerza que nos da el sustento, es la acción, es nuestra Filosofía y el poder de nuestro pensamiento.
Cultura es el resultado de nuestro proceso histórico y suma total del legado de nuestros ancestros.
Y en nombre de esa Cultura jamás acostumbrada a callar, que hoy unimos nuestra voz a los Organismos Internacionales para que sean aplicadas las leyes y respetados íntegramente los convenios que garantizan la protección y el derecho a los pueblos indígenas y negros.
La Organización Internacional del Trabajo (OIT), declara en su Convenio 169 de que “los pueblos tienen el derecho inalienable de desarrollarse en el ámbito de la Salud , Educación y en cualquier aspecto político-social, teniendo el Estado la obligación de garantizar el respeto y el no atropello a su lengua y a su práctica cultural”.
Con admiración hemos visto como por primera vez un presidente de esta Nación, ha mantenido las posturas mas dignas no solamente históricas sino mas bien prácticas, en cuanto a temas de Derechos Humanos para Honduras y para toda América Latina.
Sr. Presidente:
Lo vimos con orgullo discursar en el podio de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas y condenar categóricamente el bloqueo impuesto por mas de 50 años a la hermana República de Cuba.
Lo vimos con la dignidad de un verdadero líder que reconoce que Honduras es un país con múltiples necesidades, pero que no esta dispuesto a vender la conciencia a aquellos Organismos que ofrecen ayudas y ponen mil condiciones para recibirlas.
Hoy.. Lo acompañamos en su lucha contra aquellos oligarcas de pensamiento anquilosado, que anteponen sus intereses mezquinos al bien común de un pueblo que busca la participación social y la igualdad de condiciones para todos y el respeto a su voluntad en la toma de decisiones.
Hace pocos días, disfrutamos verlo en una exclusiva entrevista en UNIVISION, respondiendo con inteligencia y elocuencia ante las interrogantes insinuantes y prefabricadas de un periodismo que responde a los intereses de la oligarquía.
La verdad nos sentimos muy orgullosos de sus respuestas.
Hoy.. Lo acompañamos y defendemos con ahínco y gallardía su propuesta a la cuarta urna, este momento histórico nos demanda una verdadera reforma constitucional con participación social que represente los verdaderos intereses de nuestro sufrido y marginado pueblo.
Cuál es el temor y el pánico de aquellos que nos llaman cada cuatro años a votar por los mismos, a que como pueblo también tengamos el sagrado derecho a evaluarlos y revocarlos cuando éstos se desvíen de la defensa de los intereses del pueblo que los eligió?. El que nada debe nada teme.
A nosotros.. Garífunas, jamás se nos ha cedido los espacios y no lo lamentamos, porque es gracias a esta condición Social que hemos aprendido con tenacidad a conquistarlos.
Sin embargo Señor Presidente, le abrimos a usted un espacio para que en él pueda marcar unas líneas de esto que es historia en desarrollo y que hemos denominado como el único y viable “Modelo de Salud Alternativo para los Países en Vías de desarrollo”.
En la creación de este modelo, queremos subrayar el papel trascendental de la solidaridad del Pueblo Cubano, que después del Huracán Mitch, abrió sus puertas para que jóvenes Garífunas pudieran formarse como Médicos y así combatir un huracán mucho mas fuerte y prolongado que tenía postrado el sistema de Salud en las Comunidades Garífunas de tierra adentro, cuya población no figuraba en los mapas de prioridades de aquellos que tenían el deber de proveer algo tan humano como es el derecho a la salud y a la vida.
Aquellos jóvenes que un día viajaron a Cuba con la maleta hinchada de ilusiones son los que han tenido la gallardía de volver a nuestra gente, a nuestra tierra que es al fin de cuentas lo que somos y construir lo que para otros era un sueño de nostálgicos, pero para nosotros es un deber impostergable: “El Primer Hospital Popular Garífuna de Honduras” en la Comunidad de Ciriboya, que a dos años de su fundación hemos brindado mas de 150 mil consultas gratuitas. Hemos vuelto práctico el concepto de accesibilidad a la salud, que no se trata de pavimentar una calle para que el paciente pueda llegar al médico, sino surcar y hacer todos los caminos posibles para que el médico pueda llegar al paciente. Hemos insertado el concepto de Cultura en la Medicina , porque en nuestra condición de Garífunas entendemos como algo que va mas allá del razonamiento.. que Cultura es Salud.
Y salud integra un conjunto de elementos, biológicos, psicológicos, sociales, económicos y culturales.
Reafirmamos como Bio-Psico-Socio-Culturales que su No integración retroalimenta la perpetuidad que hoy sus propios inventores, han tenido que reconocer ante la opinión pública mundial su total ineficacia y fracaso, vendedor de “la muerte y mutilación por causas simples de una realidad cotidiana”.
Hoy Médicos de Ciencia y Consciencia, reescriben la historia de Nuestros Pueblos inspirados en el Dr. Alfonso Lacayo Sánchez , Primer Médico Garífuna egresado de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, después de 118 años de su fundación.
Esta abismal espera ha llegado a su fin, el mundo nos ha dado lección del siglo: Que la inclusión es posible y que el respeto a la diversidad cultural debe ser la regla y el patrón a seguir, donde Honduras no puede ni bebe ser la excepción.
Dejamos sentadas las bases de este nuevo modelo de salud alternativo para los países en vías de desarrollo. Un modelo que es nuestro, que no es copiado de otro país, que en nada se parece a nosotros y que es funcional por la simple razón, que nació en la necesidad de servir a nuestros pueblos y engrandecer a nuestra patria.
En este modelo de Salud le hemos cedido el espacio a usted Señor Presidente para que hagamos Patria.
Hermanos y hermanas hagamos Patria! Porque si no la historia nos condenará! Porque no en vano un hombre escribió: Patria o Muerte! Venceremos…
For the past fifty years our Belizean people have been talking about managing or owning a Belizean Cultural, Sports and Recreation Center for our people to assemble and do positive things together as Belizeans on behalf of our country and people. I have made it my business to assign a group of Real Estate individuals including myself to find a place that is within the Belizean community in the city of New York that meet all the requirements for the purposes specified above and I am pleased to report that a place has been found.
In order for us as Belizeans to acquire this premises, we will have to contribute as a group financially, with labor and all our human resources to make this overdue dream become a reality. Our organization believe that it is possible if we seek the support of all Belizeans with the following plan:
1-Individual Belizean citizens make a non-refundable contribution of $25.00 and over
2-Belizean Businesses make a contribution of $500.00 or over which is Tax Deductible at the ending of the year when they file their taxes.
3-Belizean Individuals and Businesses give a loan of $1,000.00 to the organization that will be repaid at a specific time period with interest to these individuals and businesses within six months from the date of disbursement.
Our goal is to raise about $50,000 to give a deposit and purchase the equipments that will be necessary to operate this place within one month. All funds donated must be made payable to the United Garifuna Association Inc. in the form of a check or money order. When this place is acquired, every Belizean organization will be given a date on the weekend to conduct a Fund Raising Event on Behalf of their organization. Also, Belizean citizens and their family members shall have access to this premises, programs, sports facilities and all equipments available when requested in due course of time on a first come first serve basis.
OUR ARRIVAL TO SAINT VINCENT - YURUMEIN (Our Homeland)
I was doing some research on Garifuna today and I got stuck. I became stuck because I was thinking about the story that has been echoed over and over again about our arrival to St. Vincent , the infamous shipped wrecked story of 1635. I personally do not accept or believe this story to be our origin on St. Vincent . This story has always baffled my mind and doesn't make any sense to me. If I accept the premise that Garinagu were never enslaved then the shipwrecked story has to be a fallacy. In my opinion, once a human being has been stolen or sold from their home land (Africa), placed in chains and shackles, put on a ”slave ship" and endured the middle passage then that human being was enslaved. If this is what happened to our ancestors and the only thing that freed us was a shipwreck than our entire history is based on a fallacy. That is one of the reasons why I don't except this version our history to be true. I personally believe that the Garifuna people were already cohabitating on St. Vincent prior to the Europeans' "discovery" of the new world. I believe that the subsequent shipwrecks only added to the Afro-Indigenous population (Garifuna) that was already there.
I thought long and hard before verbalizing my personal belief online in regards to this matter. Before writing down my thoughts, I decided to read about the "middle passage" again. I was sick to my stomach and became overwhelmed with tears. The story of the “middle passage" is usually a difficult story for anybody to read. Anyway, after reading about the “middle passage" I was convinced more than ever that if our ancestors endured that, I don't think we would be Garifuna today. The African American communities are still healing from the wounds of slavery and it began with the middle passage. If our ancestors went through the middle passage, I believe they would have made reference to that horrific and traumatic experience in one of our ancestral songs. They would have sung songs of pain, agony, and death through that middle passage and we would still be singing that song like all the other songs we continue to sing today. The songs that our ancestors left us were about our homeland Yurumein. This is just my belief nothing more, nothing less. I invite you to visit the link below and read about middle passage or visit your local library.
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.
Jobo, DJ Labuga & Mohubob Flores at Umalali Studios in Los Angeles, California during the 19th of November 2008.
GARIFUNA CLOCK designed by Ruben ReyeGarifuna 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.
Check out the photo 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.
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
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
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
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."
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.
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.
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.
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
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".
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).
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.
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.
¡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 educatorhas 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.
* * * * *
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.
Durante los últimos días de esta semana, recibí una serie de mensajes desde Belice, con malas noticias sobre la salud de Andy Palacio.
Andy Palacio es el músico garifuna y sin duda uno de los músicos centroamericanos de mayor reconocimiento y talento. Al igual que otros importantes líderes garifunas de Belice era oriundo de la ciudad costera de Barranco, una comunidad relativamente marginal pero que demuestra en sus hijos, ser fértil cuna de afirmación y profunda comprensión hacia las propias raíces. Él creció allí escuchando la música tradicional de su pueblo garífuna, una música presente en todos los momentos de la vida en la comunidad: la cosecha, la preparación de alimentos, la fiesta, los rituales, la muerte.
Al igual que toda su comunidad, Andy debió vivir el dilema de ser parte de un pueblo minoritario con un fuerte acervo “no occidental”. Dichosamente nació en Belice, país donde los garifunas han logrado incorporarse a la sociedad nacional con un estatuto alto de ciudadanía, reconocimiento y acceso a su desarrollo como individuos y colectividad. Por ejemplo, muchos y muchas son maestros ya que se destacan y son reconocidos por su versatilidad lingüística, tolerancia y capacidad para la interculturalidad. En su mayoría logran estudiar y ocupar posiciones de responsabilidad, lo que no es la norma en los otros países de la región cuyas poblaciones incluyen garifunas.
En ese mundo multicultural de Belice, Andy también aprendió a apreciar los sonidos y géneros que difundía la radio en los países vecinos y no tan vecinos pero fuertemente vinculados a su país: Honduras, Guatemala, el Caribe y Estados Unidos. Músico y compositor él mismo, Andy hizo un incansable trabajo de promoción cultural empezando por el que consideró un maestro: el legendario Paul Nabor. Fue responsable de un disco histórico de rescate de la Parranda, género garifuna menos conocido que la punta pero igualmente relevante, bello y profundamente arraigado en la comunidad.
En ese primer esfuerzo y todo el trabajo posterior, se mantuvo cercano a talentos hermanos de la comunidad garifunas hondureña como Aurelio Martínez. No tuvo reparo en trabajar con igual identificación con sus colegas mestizos como Yvan Durán o Eduardo Cedeño, este último conocido en Costa Rica por su trabajo con Guillermo Anderson y su participación como invitado en la Orquesta de la Papaya. Aurelio también nos visitó y emocionó en el marco del Papaya Fest. Con Yvan Durán, Andy contribuyó como parte del motor creativo del sello disquero cuya producción ha recibido el mayor reconocimiento a nivel internacional para la región: Stonetree Records, un sello pionero de nuestro istmo, de una calidad absolutamente sorprendente
Como otros destacados líderes de su país y de Honduras, su trabajo fue motivado por el contacto con la costa Atlántica nicaragüense, una región en la que la comunidad garifunas ha visto depauperarse su lengua y su conocimiento de las tradiciones al límite de la extinción. En su caso, este contacto se dio por primera vez en los años 80 cuando conribuyó al proceso de alfabetización que se promovió entonces. Más tarde viajaría a formarse en arte comunitario en Inglaterra y fundó, ya de vuelta en su país, Sunrise, una organización dedicada a la preservación, documentación y distribución de la música beliceña. Posteriormente, ya con Stonetree Records, creó el concepto del Garifunas Collective, agrupación binacional, intergeneracional que sumaba a Nabor con las que eran entonces nuevas voces como la del propio Andy. Ahora, Andy era referente motivador de los nuevos jóvenes talentos musicales beliceños.
Su trabajo artístico le ganó reconocimiento en el Caribe, en México, en Europa y Asia donde actuó en cantidad de festivales de primer nivel. El año 2007 particularmente, fue un verdadero año de cosecha: en parte como reacción a la divulgación tan comercial de la punta, Se lanzó Wátina, por Andy Palacio & the Garifuna Collective. Era marzo y apareció bajo el sello discográfico internacional Cumbancha.
Creado como parte de un esfuerzo por enfocarse en géneros menos conocidos de la música garifuna con la misma profundidad espiritual como de hecho tiene la punta, un género que se interpreta y baila en los novenarios en el contexto de las comunidades (hay que decir que a pesar de lo que nos enseñaron los medios, “Sopa de Caracol” y chicas en minifalda, tacones o silicona, sacudiendo la cadera no es exactamente la versión más propia de la punta).
Watina, con su mezcla de tradición e influencias contemporáneas, fue grabado en un particular ambiente de intimidad y apego a la raíz en una pequeña cabaña en la costa, con la calidad profesional del trabajo de Yvan Duran. El disco lanzado, fue seguido por una gira internacional. Críticas notables aparecieron en medios norteamericanos, británicos, franceses, en las listas de radios especializadas. Incluso National Geographic's online music escogió Wátina como el major album del año y The Guardian del Reino Unido lo incluyó en su lista de "Top 1000 Albums to Listen to Before You Die."Watina fue uno de los poquísimos discos del llamado worldmusic en la lista.
El disco se coronó al ganar el Premio WOMEX 2007 en la mayor feria internacional de músicas del mundo y fue nominada en la premiación de la estación de World Music de la BBC. Casi simultáneamente, Andy Palacio fue nombrado Artista de la Paz por la UNESCO.
La noche del sábado 19 de enero, abrí mi correo a las 9pm pasadas, y mientras revisaba los mensajes recibidos –incluyendo uno de esta mañana con el último parte sobre su estado- la computadora me señaló que algo nuevo estaba entrando. El escueto mensaje de Roy Cayetano –otro gran personaje de la cultura garífuna y beliceña- estaba en la cola del correo, en esa fila larga que nos organizan las cuentas de gmail: “I’ve just got a phone call informing that Andy passed at nine o’clock, just under an hour ago. We commend his soul to the Great Spirit whence he came to us on loan.”
Tengo dos tristezas igualmente grandes: la muerte de Andy la primera. Por la pérdida de su alma noble, de su música, del líder inspirador y comprometido que tanto su comunidad como el istmo no tendrán más en vida. La segunda tristeza viene de la certeza de que lo lloraremos muchas menos compatriotas centroamericanos de las que alguien de su estatura y generosidad merece. No porque no sepamos apreciar lo que tenemos cerca, sino porque ni siquiera tenemos la oportunidad de conocerlo. Como pasa con don Walter, como pasó con Ray Tico….enfin….Tanto talento que no nos inunda lo suficiente mientras nos inundan tantas cosas inútiles y poco edificantes…..
(Aquí se puede oír Watina de Andy, distribuido por Papaya Music y claro, pueden asomarse a youtube…. Tambien es realmente bello: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzq5eR0DSLY) ¡Qué vaina! …..te nos fuiste y tan joven, caray.
Lamentablemente los artistas como los de Papaya o los de Stonetree -nuestros músicos, músicos que nos dicen a nosotros y al mundo, esta maravilla que somos- todavía no merecen el prime time de “Bailando por un Sueño” …..Claro que en el caso de Andy, debe destacarse que el Primer Ministro de Belice y el Gobierno se pusieron a su disposición (el mejor neurólogo, helicóptero para ser trasladado a Estados Unidos) y que estaba nombrado como “Embajador Cultural”….simplemente no se pudo contra el mal que lo aquejaba.
¿Será que eso cambie? Debería haber referéndums también sobre lo que nos perdemos cuando no respiramos lo que somos….
Andy, gracias por Watina, por Nabor, por la música garifuna, por tu música, por tu militancia….A falta de credos, me sumo al de Roy: tenerte aquí fue un préstamo de valor inestimable. Te nos vas ahora, no a la gira de Watina, a ese otro viaje largo que la cultura garifuna acepta con tanta sabiduría y con su profundo sentido de continuidad y de contacto con sus ancestros. A mi me cuesta, pero trato de aprender….
Buen viaje, a vos y, sobre todo, a nosotros ahora sin vos aquí, con menos voz, con vos solo en el alma que igual lo hace todo mejor….
2007 - THE YEAR OF ANDY PALACIO – Reconocimientos a Watina
World Music Charts Europe - #1 Album of the Year National Public Radio - Banning Eyre (USA) - Top 10 World Music Album of 2007 Global Rhythm (USA) - #1 Album of the Year Songlines (UK) - Best of 2007 National Geographic Music (USA) - #1 Album of the Year Froots BBC Radio 3 Critic's poll (UK) - #2 Album of the Year BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music (UK) - Nominated in Best of Americas Category The Guardian (UK) - Top 1000 Albums to Listen to Before you Die Vibrations (FR) - Top 25 of 2007 Liberation (FR) - World Music Album of the Year l'Humanité (FR) - Best of 2007 Stylus Magazine (USA) - #41 Top Fifty Albums of the Year Afropop Worldwide (USA) - Top Ten Albums of 2007 Amazon.com (USA) - #1 International Album of 2007 Voir (Canada) - Top 10 World Music Album of 2007 PRI's The World (USA) - Best of 2007 The Boston Globe (USA) - Top 10 of 2007 The Observer Music Monthly (UK) - #28 Album of 2007 WNYC Soundcheck New York, NY (USA) - Best World Music Album of 2007 WBEZ New Sounds Chicago, IL (USA) - Best of 2007 KAOS Spin the Globe Olympia, WA (USA) - Best of 2007 KMUW Global Village Wichita, KS (USA) - #1 Album of 2007 Muzikifan.com - Top 10 of 2007
ATTENTION BROOKLYN, NY - ATTENTION GARINAGU - ATTENTION ANDY PALACIO FANS
Greetings:
his Tribute is to celebrate and honor Andy P as the universal and purposeful Garifuna artist that he was. We in New York should have many tributes and memorials for Andy. All of us joining with each to participate in as many events surrounding his memory as possible. This Tribute will be filled with music from as many musicians who have played with Andy, people who want to give testimony to their experience with him, visual documentation of some of his work & life.
LONG LIVE ANDY PALACIO
Please feel free to add, compliment, modify with any suggestions to help manifest this event. Pass this on. The following is what is needed:
Venue Needed: In Brooklyn, close to public transport, capacity 200, w/ a kitchen, tables & chairs, a stage(or risers).So far we have looked at 3 places and will settle on one of them tomorrow. We are looking for the best price. We look forward for your suggestions. Duration 4 to 6 hrs.
Tentative Date: Feb 17 or March 1st 2008 Video Broadcasting: Have already been confirmed. Video Screening: Already confirmed DJ: Almost confirmed PA System: Almost confirmed
Food; Suggested Menu: Soup, Chicken, Rice & Beans, Green Salad, Potato Salad, Cake, Beer, Wine, Sodas, Juice, Water, Depending on the location Hard liquor, ice Utensils-Napkins, table cloths, forks, spoons, cups, plates. We are asking all to contribute to the food & Beverage menue. We already have the committment of 5 people.
Email Blast or flyers once the venue is secured. We need to spread the word. Program of the evening setup: All suggestions taken. We have a list of people w/ their contact information involved so far.. Irene will send out that list.
ALL MUSICIANS, ALL FOLKS FROM THE MUSIC INDUSTRY, ALL GARIFUNA ASSOCIATIONS, ALL PEOPLE WHO CARED ABOUT ANDY PALACIO ARE INVITED. PLEASE RESPOND VIA EMAIL OR 718-855-8616.
READ THE COMMENTS - LEA LOS COMENTARIOS ENVIADOS POR LA NACION GARIFUNA!
Hi Cheryl!
This truly is a sad day for Belize, and the world, but more importantly the Garifuna community. I am writing this with tears in my eyes. Andy Palacio was such a strong activist for the survival of the Garifuna Culture. His "Watina" album was a representation of the deep love and commitment he had for his culture and his people. Through his music, Andy was able to introduce the world to such a strong, and proud people know as the Garinagu. Like his ancestors before him, he fought courageously through his music and activism for the survival of his culture. Andy is no longer with us physically, but his spirit will remain with us forever. Please keep up the good work that you are doing to ensure that the younger generations will know their language and their culture. As an African America, my people were stripped of all knowledge of their language and culture after arriving in the America's. This is a painful reality and struggle that continues to plague our community. If a people does not know their history and where they came from; it becomes very difficult to know where they are going. We have to know that we come from a strong and fierce group of people--the African. A group of people who would rather jump off of ships during the middle passage than to submit to slavery. We, African Americans and descendants of Africans need to call on our ancestors during these difficult times to help us regain our strength, and pride as a people. We are not all thugs, murders, or the stereotypical images portrayed in the music videos. We need to think of Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and Medgar Evers who gave their lives for our equality as a people. So Cheryl, I write all of this to say that I admire the Garinagu and support you in your efforts to make sure that your culture and language will live on in generations to come.
Take Care my sister,
Veronica
P.S. I am sorry that I went on and on like that. It's just that I have a passion for the Garifuna culture and what it stands for.
Comentario enviado por Gadu Nuñez Lunes, 21 de Enero 2008
Andy Palacio sin duda alguna uno de los grandes artista garifuna que a dado belize al mundo,y para orgullo nuestro,me acuerdo claramente cuando tuve la oportunidad de conoserlo y actuar en la misma tarima en el ano 1988 en Mexico para el primer festival internacional de la cultura del caribe.ANDY PALACIO su carisma,su humildad y sobre todo su talento,recorrio el mundo con la bandera garifuna en la mano,tambien me acuerdo con claridad la gira que protagonisamos a Francia en el ano 1999 en el mes de febrero,donde participamos en un festival por cuatro dias, ANDY nunca te vamos a olvidar fuistes un ejemplo para el mas pequeno al mas grande y todos los garifunas nos sentimos orgullosos por el legado que nos dejastes.Que dios te tenga en la gloria,
Descase en paz...tu amigo GADU NUNEZ
Friends:
With the passing of Mr. Andy Palacio, Garifuna Settlement Day Group is encouraging everyone interested in sending condolences to his family are encouraged to do so. You are also encouraged to forward this Email to family and friends.The condolence will be posted on our website. You can view this and more on www.SettlementDayGroup.com a Garifuna Settlement Day Group website. Thank you.
James Castillo President
It is with great sadness that I read about the passing of the great Garifuna icon, Andy Palacio and would like to express my deepest sympathy to his family and the Garifuna Nation worldwide. Andy was more than a Garifuna artist, he was a cultural ambassador, who took the Garifuna culture all around the world and in the process, opened the door for future Garifuna generations and more importantly, contributed to the preservation the Garifuna culture. While he is now resting with the ancestors, along the Paramount Garifuna Chief Joseph Chatoyer, Juan Francisco Bulnes (Walumugu), T.V. Ramos, and Marcos Sanchez Diaz; Andy’s legacy will remain alive and vibrant in the mind and soul of each one of us. Again, my deepest sympathy to the Palacio Family and may the Lord and the Ancestors protect them.
José Francisco Avila
Con mucho pesar anunciamos el fallecimento del gran artista Garifuna Andy Palacio. Segun la informacion, Andy fallecio ayer a las 9 pm el dia 19 de Enero 2008 en su pais natal Belice. La causa de muerte fue un Ataque de Corazon, despues de aver sufrido un Derame Cerebral.
Andy Palacio no solo fue un cantante sino un embajador cultural por la causa Garifuna. Segun su bioragrafia, en 1987, viajo a Bluefield Nicaragua y vio alli como la cultura Garifuna estaba a punto de desaparecer y desde ese momento en adelante dedico su hoy, corta vida, a su gente y cultura. En el 2007, recibio muchos premios internacionales por su travajo con la musica Garifuna y fue reconocido por la organizacion de las Naciones Unidas UNESCO como como artista mundial de lal paz y por ser una persona que aboga por la paz mundial. Estos alcances nos honran a todos y a Andy le decimos Gracias.
Que Dios y los Ancestros lo tengan en su Gloria.
Raymond Martinez.
Atravez de esta miciva envio mis mas sentidos pesames a la familia Palacio, la comunidad garifuna de Belize y a la comunidad garifuna del mundo por la partida de nuestro amigo y hermano Andy. Su espiritu se suma a la constelacion de almas que velan por los Garifunas que quedamos. Hermano Andy di a nuestros viejos que su lucha no fue envano y con ello tambien agrego, "Andy parti en paz, pues tu esfuerzo fue la de un verdadero soldado Garifuna"
Garilacios
Centro America Show, y Honduras New York, Programa de television por cable asi mismo www.garifunlink.com y garifunalink@googlegroups.com . Atravez de este medio envio mis mas sentidos pesame a la familia Palacio, la Comunidad Garifuna de Belice, y a todos los Garifunas del mundo. Por la partida de nuestro gran Amigo Andy Palacio, que tambien estuvo con nosotros dos veces en el programa de centro america show. En lo personal Andy Palacio, fue un embajador de la musica Garifuna en peligro de extincion. Atte; Murphy Valentinecentro america show, canal 69, Bronxnethonduras new york canal 69, Bronxnetwww.garifunalink.comgarifunalink@googlegroups.com
ORGANIZACIÓN NEGRA CENTROAMERICANA "ONECA" -CENTRAL AMERICAN BLACK ORGANIZATION "CABO"
HOUNDARUN WURITIAN LAMIDAN MERIGA HOWULAME - ACUERDO DE DUELO
CONSIDERANDO: Que el díasábado 19 de Enero de 2008, falleció en ciudad Belice el Cantautor Internacional Andy Palacio.
CONSIDERANDO: Que el Señor Andy Palacio, era Miembro de la Organización National Garifuna Council, República de Belice, a su vez miembro de la Organización Negra Centroamericana ONECA.
CONSIDERANDO: Que el Señor Andy Palacio, antes de su deceso fungía como Director del Instituto Nacional de Cultura e Historia del Gobierno de Belice y fue nombrado en el año 2007 como “Embajador Musicalde la Paz ” por la UNESCO.
CONSIDERANDO: Que el Señor Andy Palacio, era un distinguido hijo de la Comunidad Garifuna de Barranco, Distrito de Toledo, Belice.
CONSIDERANDO: Que el Señor Andy Palacio, fue una persona que luchó a favor de la defensa de los derechos políticos, económicos, sociales, ambientales y principalmente culturales de la comunidad Afrocentroamericana. Fue un pregonero de libertad, de la relación entre los pueblos, de la igualdad y la justicia.
CONSIDERANDO: Que el Señor Andy Palacio, apoyo sin reservas el trabajo transfronterizo de la Organización Negra Centroamérica ONECA, cuyos aportes están registrados con tinta imborrable en la historia Afrocentroamericana. Recordamos especialmente su actuación en la Conmemoración del Bicentenario Garifuna, en el año 1997 y su profesional y solidaria participación en la XIII Asamblea General de la ONECA , en la República de Panamá, diciembre 2007.
POR TANTO ACORDAMOS:
Decretar tres días de duelo sin suspensión de labores. Lamentar la pérdida irreparable del reconocido Cantautor Internacional Andy Palacio.
Expresar nuestras condolencias y unirnos al dolor que embarga a su Madre la Señora Cleofás Avilés, sus hijos, Kami Palacio, Vani Palacio, Nita Palacios, Tarra Palacio y Cama Au Palacios, hermanos (as) y demás familiares. De igual manera patentizamos nuestra solidaridad a sus promotores musicales y casa disquera, así como a la Junta Directiva , afiliados, simpatizantes y amigos (as) de la Organización hermana Concilio Nacional Garifuna (National Garifuna Council). Guardar un Minuto de Silencio en la próxima actividad que realice la Junta Directiva de la ONECA. Acompañar a familiares, compañeros de lucha y amistades de Andy Palacio, en los actos fúnebres a verificarse en la Comunidad de Barranco, Distrito de Toledo, el sábado 26 de enero de 2008. Hacer entrega del presente Acuerdo de Duelo a la Madre , hijas, hermanos y demás familiares de quien en vida fuera el genial, siempre propositito, creativo, cantautor y hermano de lucha ANDY PALACIO; así como darle amplia difusión por los distintos medios de comunicación.
Dado en la Ciudad de la Ceiba , Atlántida los veintiún días del mes de enero del año dos mil ocho.
Celeo Alvarez Casildo, Presidente ONECA
UNIDOS PARA EL PROGRESO - UNITED FOR PROGRESS - UWARA LUN AWANSERUNI…
Dear Brothers and Sisters: Our community mourns the passing of one of our greatest cultural ambassadors, Andy Palacio. I have had always great admiration for Andy's work. I had the honor of attending several of his concerts, here in New York and in Honduras; I was always mesmerized by his talents.His music really captures the essence of our Garifuna being. This is demonstrated in his masterpiece "WATINA"; what a great testament to his love for the legacy of our ancestors!It is not a coincidence that before his transition he was able to spread his music all over the world. I think it was in preparation to his reunion with the Almighty. You will be missed, dear Andy. Rest in Peace.
Your admiring sister;
Lydia Sacasa-Hill
Hermano Satuye y demas informadores al igual que ustedes y el resto de la gran familia de nuestro hermnano lider y heroe Andy Palacio, lamentamos tambien profundamente esta desaparicion fisica la cual nos deja un enorme vacio fisicamente. Mas sin embargo, en lo espiritual y ancestral, Andy Palacio, permanecera eternamente en todos y cada uno de los diferentes quehaceres de la gran diaspora Afro-Garinagu mundialmente. Andy Palacio seguramente estara conservando este espacio vital para todos y cada uno de los que asi lo han sabido conducir durante estas cortas vacaciones; las que todos y cada uno estamos pasando aqui en esta tierra de muchas convulciones sociales. En mi fe, la de mis familiares y demas amistades, asi nos despedimos de nuestro hermano Andy Palacio. Hasta Siempre!
satuye@aim.com escribió
Article published in the New York Times in the Music section: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/21/arts/music/21palacio.html?_r=1&ref=obituaries&oref=slogin
Andy Palacio, Who Saved Garifuna Music, Dies at 47
By JON PARELES Published: January 21, 2008 Andy Palacio, a bandleader and songwriter who spearheaded a revival of the Garifuna music of Central America, died Saturday in his native Belize City, Belize. He was 47 and lived in San Ignacio, Belize.
The cause was respiratory failure after a stroke and heart attack, according to Jacob Edgar, president of his record company, Cumbancha.
In Belize, Mr. Palacio was nationally known as both a musician and an advocate for Garifuna culture. “Watina,” his album with the Garifuna Collective, was acclaimed as one of the best world music releases of 2007.
The Garifuna (pronounced ga-RI-foo-nah) are descendants of West African slaves who were shipwrecked in 1635 off the coast of what is now the island of St. Vincent and intermarried with local Arawak and Carib people. Garifuna villages arose on the coasts of Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Belize. There are now an estimated 250,000 Garifuna people worldwide, a minority culture under pressure from assimilation and coastal development.
“I decided to use music as a medium for cultural preservation,” Mr. Palacio said in an interview with NPR last year. “At least we’d be able to use the language in the songs and keep them alive.”
Mr. Palacio grew up in a Garifuna family in the coastal village of Barranco, Belize, and soaked up local and international music. He worked as a high school teacher, and on a visit to Nicaragua with a literacy project, he met an elderly man who was one of the last Garifuna speakers in Nicaragua. He resolved to preserve the language at home and in 1981 served as host of a Garifuna program on Radio Belize.
During the 1980s, Mr. Palacio used Garifuna rhythms in punta rock, a popular Caribbean dance music, and had Central American hits, including “Bikini Panty” and “Gimme Punta Rock.” In the mid-1990s, working with the producer Ivan Duran, Mr. Palacio made albums with musicians from Belize and Cuba, and in 1999 he appeared with older Garifuna musicians on the album “Paranda.” After various government jobs, he was named director of culture at the Belize Arts Council in 2003.
Meanwhile, Mr. Palacio and Mr. Duran worked to assemble the Garifuna Collective, which brought together multiple generations of Garifuna musicians for socially conscious songs. Mr. Palacio’s album with the collective, “Watina,” uses the Afro-Caribbean lilt of vintage Garifuna styles along with modern touches like an occasional electric guitar. The songs carry messages like: “Our ancestors fought to remain Garifuna/ Why must we be the ones to lose our culture?” It stimulated a rediscovery of Garifuna music among younger musicians in Central America.
The prime minister of Belize gave Mr. Palacio the Order of Meritorious Service in September 2007, and in November, Mr. Palacio was named a Unesco Artist for Peace. “I hope that our efforts will not only preserve Garifuna culture but also re-energize a generation,” he told NPR.
Mr. Palacio is survived by his mother, Cleofa Avilez; his brother, Oswald Lopez; his sister, Jacinta Palacio; his children, Kami, Uani, Nita, Tara, Kamou; and two granddaughters.
Buen viaje Andy!
Durante los últimos días de esta semana, recibí una serie de mensajes desde Belice, con malas noticias sobre la salud de Andy Palacio.
Andy Palacio es el músico garifuna y sin duda uno de los músicos centroamericanos de mayor reconocimiento y talento. Al igual que otros importantes líderes garifunas de Belice era oriundo de la ciudad costera de Barranco, una comunidad relativamente marginal pero que demuestra en sus hijos, ser fértil cuna de afirmación y profunda comprensión hacia las propias raíces. Él creció allí escuchando la música tradicional de su pueblo garífuna, una música presente en todos los momentos de la vida en la comunidad: la cosecha, la preparación de alimentos, la fiesta, los rituales, la muerte.
Al igual que toda su comunidad, Andy debió vivir el dilema de ser parte de un pueblo minoritario con un fuerte acervo “no occidental”. Dichosamente nació en Belice, país donde los garifunas han logrado incorporarse a la sociedad nacional con un estatuto alto de ciudadanía, reconocimiento y acceso a su desarrollo como individuos y colectividad. Por ejemplo, muchos y muchas son maestros ya que se destacan y son reconocidos por su versatilidad lingüística, tolerancia y capacidad para la interculturalidad. En su mayoría logran estudiar y ocupar posiciones de responsabilidad, lo que no es la norma en los otros países de la región cuyas poblaciones incluyen garifunas.
En ese mundo multicultural de Belice, Andy también aprendió a apreciar los sonidos y géneros que difundía la radio en los países vecinos y no tan vecinos pero fuertemente vinculados a su país: Honduras, Guatemala, el Caribe y Estados Unidos. Músico y compositor él mismo, Andy hizo un incansable trabajo de promoción cultural empezando por el que consideró un maestro: el legendario Paul Nabor. Fue responsable de un disco histórico de rescate de la Parranda, género garifuna menos conocido que la punta pero igualmente relevante, bello y profundamente arraigado en la comunidad.
En ese primer esfuerzo y todo el trabajo posterior, se mantuvo cercano a talentos hermanos de la comunidad garifunas hondureña como Aurelio Martínez. No tuvo reparo en trabajar con igual identificación con sus colegas mestizos como Yvan Durán o Eduardo Cedeño, este último conocido en Costa Rica por su trabajo con Guillermo Anderson y su participación como invitado en la Orquesta de la Papaya. Aurelio también nos visitó y emocionó en el marco del Papaya Fest. Con Yvan Durán, Andy contribuyó como parte del motor creativo del sello disquero cuya producción ha recibido el mayor reconocimiento a nivel internacional para la región: Stonetree Records, un sello pionero de nuestro istmo, de una calidad absolutamente sorprendente
Como otros destacados líderes de su país y de Honduras, su trabajo fue motivado por el contacto con la costa Atlántica nicaragüense, una región en la que la comunidad garifunas ha visto depauperarse su lengua y su conocimiento de las tradiciones al límite de la extinción. En su caso, este contacto se dio por primera vez en los años 80 cuando conribuyó al proceso de alfabetización que se promovió entonces. Más tarde viajaría a formarse en arte comunitario en Inglaterra y fundó, ya de vuelta en su país, Sunrise, una organización dedicada a la preservación, documentación y distribución de la música beliceña. Posteriormente, ya con Stonetree Records, creó el concepto del Garifunas Collective, agrupación binacional, intergeneracional que sumaba a Nabor con las que eran entonces nuevas voces como la del propio Andy. Ahora, Andy era referente motivador de los nuevos jóvenes talentos musicales beliceños.
Su trabajo artístico le ganó reconocimiento en el Caribe, en México, en Europa y Asia donde actuó en cantidad de festivales de primer nivel. El año 2007 particularmente, fue un verdadero año de cosecha: en parte como reacción a la divulgación tan comercial de la punta, Se lanzó Wátina, por Andy Palacio & the Garifuna Collective. Era marzo y apareció bajo el sello discográfico internacional Cumbancha.
Creado como parte de un esfuerzo por enfocarse en géneros menos conocidos de la música garifuna con la misma profundidad espiritual como de hecho tiene la punta, un género que se interpreta y baila en los novenarios en el contexto de las comunidades (hay que decir que a pesar de lo que nos enseñaron los medios, “Sopa de Caracol” y chicas en minifalda, tacones o silicona, sacudiendo la cadera no es exactamente la versión más propia de la punta).
Watina, con su mezcla de tradición e influencias contemporáneas, fue grabado en un particular ambiente de intimidad y apego a la raíz en una pequeña cabaña en la costa, con la calidad profesional del trabajo de Yvan Duran. El disco lanzado, fue seguido por una gira internacional. Críticas notables aparecieron en medios norteamericanos, británicos, franceses, en las listas de radios especializadas. Incluso National Geographic's online music escogió Wátina como el major album del año y The Guardian del Reino Unido lo incluyó en su lista de "Top 1000 Albums to Listen to Before You Die."Watina fue uno de los poquísimos discos del llamado worldmusic en la lista.
El disco se coronó al ganar el Premio WOMEX 2007 en la mayor feria internacional de músicas del mundo y fue nominada en la premiación de la estación de World Music de la BBC. Casi simultáneamente, Andy Palacio fue nombrado Artista de la Paz por la UNESCO.
La noche del sábado 19 de enero, abrí mi correo a las 9pm pasadas, y mientras revisaba los mensajes recibidos –incluyendo uno de esta mañana con el último parte sobre su estado- la computadora me señaló que algo nuevo estaba entrando. El escueto mensaje de Roy Cayetano –otro gran personaje de la cultura garífuna y beliceña- estaba en la cola del correo, en esa fila larga que nos organizan las cuentas de gmail: “I’ve just got a phone call informing that Andy passed at nine o’clock, just under an hour ago. We commend his soul to the Great Spirit whence he came to us on loan.”
Tengo dos tristezas igualmente grandes: la muerte de Andy la primera. Por la pérdida de su alma noble, de su música, del líder inspirador y comprometido que tanto su comunidad como el istmo no tendrán más en vida. La segunda tristeza viene de la certeza de que lo lloraremos muchas menos compatriotas centroamericanos de las que alguien de su estatura y generosidad merece. No porque no sepamos apreciar lo que tenemos cerca, sino porque ni siquiera tenemos la oportunidad de conocerlo. Como pasa con don Walter, como pasó con Ray Tico….enfin….Tanto talento que no nos inunda lo suficiente mientras nos inundan tantas cosas inútiles y poco edificantes…..
(Aquí se puede oír Watina de Andy, distribuido por Papaya Music y claro, pueden asomarse a youtube…. Tambien es realmente bello: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzq5eR0DSLY)
¡Qué vaina! …..te nos fuiste y tan joven, caray.
Lamentablemente los artistas como los de Papaya o los de Stonetree -nuestros músicos, músicos que nos dicen a nosotros y al mundo, esta maravilla que somos- todavía no merecen el prime time de “Bailando por un Sueño” …..Claro que en el caso de Andy, debe destacarse que el Primer Ministro de Belice y el Gobierno se pusieron a su disposición (el mejor neurólogo, helicóptero para ser trasladado a Estados Unidos) y que estaba nombrado como “Embajador Cultural”….simplemente no se pudo contra el mal que lo aquejaba.
¿Será que eso cambie? Debería haber referéndums también sobre lo que nos perdemos cuando no respiramos lo que somos….
Andy, gracias por Watina, por Nabor, por la música garifuna, por tu música, por tu militancia….A falta de credos, me sumo al de Roy: tenerte aquí fue un préstamo de valor inestimable. Te nos vas ahora, no a la gira de Watina, a ese otro viaje largo que la cultura garifuna acepta con tanta sabiduría y con su profundo sentido de continuidad y de contacto con sus ancestros. A mi me cuesta, pero trato de aprender….
Buen viaje, a vos y, sobre todo, a nosotros ahora sin vos aquí, con menos voz, con vos solo en el alma que igual lo hace todo mejor….
2007 - THE YEAR OF ANDY PALACIO – Reconocimientos a Watina
World Music Charts Europe - #1 Album of the Year National Public Radio - Banning Eyre (USA) - Top 10 World Music Album of 2007 Global Rhythm (USA) - #1 Album of the Year Songlines (UK) - Best of 2007 National Geographic Music (USA) - #1 Album of the Year Froots BBC Radio 3 Critic's poll (UK) - #2 Album of the Year BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music (UK) - Nominated in Best of Americas Category The Guardian (UK) - Top 1000 Albums to Listen to Before you Die Vibrations (FR) - Top 25 of 2007 Liberation (FR) - World Music Album of the Year l'Humanité (FR) - Best of 2007 Stylus Magazine (USA) - #41 Top Fifty Albums of the Year Afropop Worldwide (USA) - Top Ten Albums of 2007 Amazon.com (USA) - #1 International Album of 2007 Voir (Canada) - Top 10 World Music Album of 2007 PRI's The World (USA) - Best of 2007 The Boston Globe (USA) - Top 10 of 2007 The Observer Music Monthly (UK) - #28 Album of 2007 WNYC Soundcheck New York, NY (USA) - Best World Music Album of 2007 WBEZ New Sounds Chicago, IL (USA) - Best of 2007 KAOS Spin the Globe Olympia, WA (USA) - Best of 2007 KMUW Global Village Wichita, KS (USA) - #1 Album of 2007 Muzikifan.com - Top 10 of 2007
January 19, 2008
Belizean Musician Andy Palacio Passes Away After Heart Attack and Stroke
January 19, 2008 - Andy Palacio, an iconic musician and cultural activist in his native Belize and impassioned spokesperson for the Garifuna people of Central America, was declared dead tonight at 9pm Belize time due to a massive and extensive stroke to the brain, a heart attack and respiratory failure due to the previous two conditions.
Palacio, 47, started feeling poorly last week and eventually visited a doctor with complaints of dizziness and blurred vision. On the 16th of January, he began experiencing seizures and was rushed to a hospital in Belmopan, Belize and then on to another hospital in Belize City. At this point, most people were hopeful Palacio would recover.
On January 17th, Palacio's condition worsened and he began experiencing more seizures. He was placed on an air ambulance to Chicago where he was expected to get treatment at one of the premier neurological facilities in the country. En route to Chicago, the plane stopped in Mobile, Alabama to clear immigration. At that point, Palacio was unconscious and it was determined that he was too ill to continue on the flight to Chicago. He was rushed to a hospital in Mobile, and placed on life support. There, doctors determined that the damage to his brain function was severe, and that his chances of recovery were slim. On January 18th, his family requested that he be flown back to Belize so that he might die in his homeland.
A national hero in Belize for his popular music and advocacy of Garifuna language and culture, news of Palacio's condition sent shockwaves through the community. At 5pm today, a public service was held in Belize City for Palacio as people prayed for his recovery. Ceremonies were also held by Garifuna spiritual leaders in an effort to help with the situation. Belize is in the midst of a heated election, but the local news was entirely dominated by Palacio's health crisis.
The reaction has also been strong around the world. Until the recent turn of events, the past year had been one of tremendous accomplishment for Palacio as his album Wátina, which was released at the beginning of 2007, had become one of the most critically acclaimed recordings of the year in any genre. Perhaps the most unanimously revered world music album in recent memory, Wátina appeared on dozens of Best of the Year lists in major media outlets around the globe and was roundly praised in glowing terms.
In 2007, Palacio was named a UNESCO Artist for Peace and won the prestigious WOMEX Award. Wátina was also nominated for the BBC Radio 3 World Music Awards. At home in Belize, the international success of Wátina has sparked a revival of Garifuna music, as young musicians have become inspired by Palacio's example. Even in the days since Palacio's health crisis began, the accolades have continued to pour in for his work.
That Palacio has been struck down at a moment of such international acclaim only increases the sense of shock and tragedy felt at his sudden and untimely death.
Andy Palacio will be honored with an official state funeral. A massive tribute concert is planned in Belize City on Friday, January 25th.
Friends and supporters are invited to post messages in memory of Andy Palacio to his MySpace page (www.myspace.com/andypalacio) as well as to the blog of his international record label Cumbancha (http://cumbanchamusic.blogspot.com/).
Well Wishers visit Andy Palacio's Myspace page and leave your comment. Visita la pagina de Myspace de Andy Palacio en estos momentos de oracion y deja tu comentario. Click on the picture! Pincha la foto!
Belize, Central America - Friday, January 18, 2008
We're deeply saddened to report that Andy Palacio has experienced what was apparently a severe heart attack and is in grave condition. He is currently on life support and the prognosis is not good. We are all hoping for a miracle and that Andy will regain consciousness, but at this point this does not seem likely.
Andy started feeling poorly a few days ago and visited a doctor with complaints of dizziness and blurred vision. On Wednesday he began experiencing seizures and was rushed to a hospital in Belmopan, Belize and then on to another hospital in Belize City. The doctors initially though Andy, who was still conscious and communicative at that time, had experienced a stroke, and were even diagnosing multiple sclerosis at one point. At this point, we were all hopeful Andy would recover.
Yesterday, Andy's condition worsened and he began experiencing more seizures. Andy is a national icon in Belize, and the story of his illness has not only been big news there, the Prime Minister has been putting his full support behind Andy's treatment. When Andy's condition started to decline, he was placed on an air ambulance to Chicago where he was expected to get treatment at one of the premier neurological facilities in the country.
En route to Chicago, the plane stopped in Mobile, Alabama to clear immigration. At that point, Andy was unconscious and it was determined that he was too ill to continue on the flight to Chicago. Andy is currently in a hospital in Mobile, Alabama where he is in a coma. His cousin is by his side and Andy's daughters will be arriving shortly .
It is impossible to describe the pain we feel from this unfathomable tragedy. We will notify you if we hear any significant updates on Andy's condition. In the meantime, keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Ivan Duran (Stonetree) and Jacob Edgar (Cumbancha)4:12 PM
LUAGU HATUADI WADUHEÑU (POR LA SALUD DE NUESTRO PUEBLO) Inauguran Primer Hospital Garífuna en Honduras Guido Eguigure 5-12-2007
Podría parecer ficción, pero es realidad. En un país donde el deterioro de los servicios básicos es lo mas común, lo que no se había logrado en mas de ciento cincuenta años del pueblo Garifuna en Honduras, es hoy una realidad. Gracias a la generosidad de Fidel, del pueblo cubano, de la solidaridad de sindicatos de trabajadores de estados unidos, del empeño de los primeros médicos Garífunas egresados de la ELAM y de las comunidades mismas que trabajaron mano a mano para levantar su mas hermoso proyecto, este sábado 8 de octubre se inaugurará el primer hospital Garifuna de Honduras en Ciriboya, una remota comunidad de la costa caribe hondureña.
Este es quizás es el mas grande acontecimiento para el pueblo Garifuna en los últimos años. Y es que ese olvidado pueblo que ha aportado tanto a nuestra identidad como nación ha sido abandonado por los sucesivos gobiernos. Sus poblaciones son testigos del abandono oficial y ahora de la ambición de las empresas turísticas llenas de codicia por obtener sus territorios ancestrales, los más hermosos de Centroamérica.
Un dato que estremece la conciencia es que hay ahora más médicos y estudiantes Garífunas en la ELAM que en más de 150 años de existencia de la Universidad Nacional. Este dato por si solo muestra la exclusión, la discriminación y la pobreza a la que se ha sometido a ese generoso y noble pueblo. Más allá de esta realidad, el propio pueblo Garifuna, orgulloso de su pasado, levanta hoy su frente para mostrar al mundo su coraje, su determinación por cambiar su vida. Al frente, un grupo de jóvenes llenos de amor por su pueblo, con la única arma de la determinación, de la solidaridad para sacar a su pueblo de la injusticia en la que ha vivido por más de 150 años.
La Fundacion LUAGU HATUADI WADUHEÑU (POR LA SALUD DE NUESTRO PUEBLO), fundada por los primeros egresados de la Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina, iniciaron donando a partir del año dos mil, 15 días de su mes de vacaciones para dar atención medica y medicamentos en 19 comunidades Garífunas de la costa caribe Hondureña. A partir de 2001, desarrollaron brigadas estudiantiles las que han capacitado a la fecha a más de 18 mil jóvenes y se contabilizan ya más de 20 mil consultas. Este hermoso y esperanzador trabajo ha trascendido el ámbito de la medicina y han desarrollado proyectos comunitarios como parques, canchas deportivas entre otros.
A la cabeza de ese esfuerzo, un joven médico Garifuna, cuyo nombre rememora al líder de la lucha por los derechos civiles. Luther Castillo, es también un convencido de la vida. Es un incansable luchador que con su energía irradia esperanza y trabajo en su pueblo. Lo escuché en la Plaza Cuba en Tegucigalpa dando un discurso en el que contó como fue que cada día caminaban desde su comunidad más de 6 horas para poder ir a la escuela más cercana. Muchos de los amigos que le acompañaban no terminaron la escuela, pues la pobreza, la principal limitación se los impidió. Luego oyeron hablar de los médicos cubanos que habían llegado a la zona después del huracán Mitch para atender a la población afectada. Ellos se quedaron y poco después ofrecieron la posibilidad a jóvenes Garífunas de ir a estudiar medicina a Cuba. Eso parecía un sueño. Ese sueño hoy es más que una realidad. Ya no solo hay 32 médicos Garífunas graduados y 31 más estudiando en la ELAM. También se está inaugurando el primer hospital Garifuna de la historia. Al igual que la operación que ha devuelto la vista a más de un millón de personas en América Latina, esto también es un milagro.
Quien conoce las comunidades Garífunas de Iriona, sabe lo que representa tener médicos, un hospital, quirófano, sala de parto y otras facilidades, cuando la distancia, la pobreza y la discriminación significaron en el pasado la diferencia entre la vida o la muerte para sus habitantes. Hoy, el sueño es realidad. La esperanza se convirtió en la diferencia. La fundacion LUAGU HATUADI WADUHEÑU (POR LA SALUD DE NUESTRO PUEBLO) esta haciendo la diferencia con el apoyo de su pueblo, de la mano con Fidel, con el pueblo y los médicos cubanos y con la solidaridad de los trabajadores norteamericanos.
Hoy las comunidades Garífunas se regocijan hoy por su gran logro. Hoy el pueblo Garifuna esta de fiesta y con merecida razón. Por eso, les enviamos nuestro gran abrazo y nuestra solidaridad.
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...
A Celebration from the Roots of the Caribbean
JAMES LOVELL and the AFRIGARIFUNA YOUTH ENSEMBLE
JAMES LOVELL is an accomplished Garifuna musician from Belize, Central America. Based in Brooklyn, NY since 1990, James Lovell teaches at the Biko Family Life Center in Bushwick, Brooklyn. James has worked with many of the African musicians also living in NYC, which inspired him to experiment with a new concept of his own musical roots. He coined the term "Afrigarifuna" to describe his fusion of various West African rhythms with the traditional music of the Garifuna people.
The AFRIGARIFUNA YOUTH ENSEMBLE is comprised of 9 children between the ages of 5 and 15, as well as three adult musicians. Their mission is to provide an opportunity for Garifuna-American children to connect with their culture. While living in a city where they assimilate into mainstream American culture, the children of the Ensemble are exposed to their history through music, dance and poetry. With the guidance of their teacher, James Lovell, the children have learned to read music and play a variety of instruments and musical genres, including the drums, rhythms and songs of their Garifuna heritage.
For further information, please contact James Lovell: 646-641-9261 or lovellswagiya@aol.com Owusu Slater: 917-648-3895
Andy Palacio & Ivan Duran Receive 2007 WOMEX Award
It's been one of the most honored, most popular and most talked about international albums of the past year, and now Andy Palacio and theGarifuna Collective's Watina has received the highest honor in world music.
On Sunday October 28 in Seville Spain, Andy Palacio and producer IvanDuran received the 2007 WOMEX award. Palacio gave the acceptance speechand performed two songs with the Garifuna Collective. Wátina has also been selected as the number 1 world music album of 2007 by the WorldMusic Charts Europe DJ.
Lauros por trayectoria cultural Entregan reconocimientos a Jorge Luján Muñóz, Frederikc Joseph Bove, Grupo de Danza Garífuna Wanaragua y Eikichi Hayashiya.
Sugieren crear instituto para garífunas - 26 de Septiembre del 2006 Por: Ana Lucía Blas
Integrantes de organizaciones garífunas se reunieron ayer con el comisionado presidencial contra la Discriminación y el Racismo, para promover la creación del Instituto Garífuna para el Desarrollo.
“Es necesario que se adopten acciones para resolver de manera integral los problemas de nuestro pueblo”, expresó Jorge Humberto Bermúdez, integrante de la Organización Negra Guatemalteca.
El comisionado presidencial Mario Ellington aseguró que el acceso a la educación, en especial la bilingüe, y las oportunidades de empleo, son las principales demandas de los garífunas.
El instituto se encargaría de rescatar, promover y preservar las manifestaciones culturales de ese grupo y de impulsar su desarrollo económico y social, mediante la formación y fortalecimiento de sus capacidades y la explotación responsable de sus recursos naturales, explicó Bermúdez.
Debido a su necesaria vinculación con las políticas públicas, los garífunas instaron al Ejecutivo a que respalde el proyecto y aporte recursos económicos para su financiamiento.
Propusieron que el apoyo económico se canalice por medio del Fondo Indígena Guatemalteco.
Belizean musician Andy Palacio designated UNESCO Artist for Peace
The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, has designated the celebrated Belizean musician and singer Andy Palacio a UNESCO Artist for Peace.
OCTOBER 1, 2007 - UNESCO Artists for Peace are internationally-renowned personalities who use their influence, charisma and prestige to help promote UNESCO's message and programs. UNESCO works with these distinguished personalities in order to heighten public awareness regarding key development issues and to inform the public what our Organization's action is in these fields. Andy Palacio's designation makes him the 40th UNESCO Artist for Peace alongside prestigious international figures such as Manu Dibango, Celine Dion and Gilberto Gil.
Born in 1960 in the coastal village of Barranco, in Belize, Andy Palacio started to gain popularity in Belize and abroad in the late 1980s. He has since become his country's most popular musician and one of the most prominent defenders of the regional Garifuna culture and traditions.
With his band The Garifuna Collective, Andy Palacio has created a unique musical style known as Punta rock, an upbeat, popular dance form based on Garifuna rhythms. Palacio also sings in the Garifuna language, which blends many linguistic influences and which UNESCO declared in 2001 a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Andy Palacio is Cultural Ambassador for his country and holds the position of Deputy Administrator of the National Institute of Culture and History.
Gulisi Community Primary School opened its doors this morning and we want to share some pictures with you! Canon Valentine was on hand to bless the students, staff and school and several parents were also on hand to witness this historic occasion. We will have an ‘official’ opening ceremony as soon as the two-classroom wooden structure which we are constructing is completed ( this should be completed at the end of this week). Do keep us in mind and prayers. * NGC School was opened in September! We still need more donations which could be made through GAHFU, Inc. Your donations are tax deductible* GAHFU, Inc.
Click to see photoalbum - Haz un click para ver el album de fotos! *Pictures courtesy of Maria Huezo
Click to see photoalbum - Haz un click para ver el album de fotos! *Pictures courtesy of Maria Huezo
GARIFUNA MADE THE DIFFERENCE ONCE AGAIN
The Central American Independence Parade in Los Angeles happens to be the largest parade in the world and nothing compares to it not even in Central America itself. This year, Garinagu came out proud to celebrate the birth and independence from Spain of the different nations in Central America.
Garifuna people were living in the area way before Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Belize were even born as nations. They came, as we all know, in 1797 when they landed in Roatan – Bay Islands – Honduras. Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras obtained their independence from the Spanish crown until 1821. Belize’s independence came until 1981. As Garinagu moved inland towards Trujillo in Honduras, some others explored as far south as Nicaragua trying to find the way back to their homeland Yurumein (Saint Vincent). Garinagu were exiled by their fiercest enemy, The British from the Land of the Blessed! (Hairoun). Some other Garifuna leaders settled with their families and friends into other exotic places like Guatemala and Belize then British Honduras.
But let us go back to the celebration that took place on Sunday, September 16, 2007. The representatives of the 7 Central American nations were there to highlight their cultural diversity, their dances and their music. Honduras headed the parade with elegant floats and people marching. Hondurans conveyed their cultural richness, but the one thing I noticed was that most of the participants under Honduras had either Garifuna people walking and dancing with them or riding the floats. There was the Atlántida International float which featured Garifuna music blasting loud from the dj system playing none other than punta rock to the dancing delight of beautiful garifuna performers.
Immediately after, the Garifuna American Heritage Foundation United –GAHFU-, made its appearance with the representation of Yurumein. We were very proud to have had a numerous representation including a group of ladies and their children on the parade who traveled all the way from Bakersfield, California. They came, they walked the two-mile route and they danced back-home style to the live and sweet beat of the drums. One of the ladies said that she wasn’t going to miss it for anything in the world. As the Gayusa rode on the back of a pick up truck singing and chanting away, the drummers followed behind marching and dancing to the hungu-hugu, punta, and paranda. Garinagu were vibrant and proud of their heritage and whenever they passed in front of a loud crowd, the onlookers were mesmerized to the beat of the garaoun, the sweet sounds of the wadabu and the rattle and shake of the sisira.
In front of the yurumein, just steps ahead of the truck, leading the parade, walked the chief Chatuye. Abuti Chatuye led his people as he did 210 years ago. He marched with his machete at hand saluting the television cameras that were fascinated by the spectacle put on by the scene of Yurumein in the streets of Los Angeles. Right next to Garifuna Abuti Chatuye and walking just steps ahead was none other than the official representative of St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Dr. Gill, a Garifuna himself from the Garifuna reservation of Sandy Bay. Dr. Gill led the Yurumein with the beautiful flag of the motherland itself St. Vincent.
In closing, I have noticed that Garinagu presence in the Central American Independence Parade in Los Angeles has been increasing. Garinagu do make a difference because they ratify the undeniable presence of the African and Amerindian ancestry in Central America. During the past three years that I have been participating in the parade, I have learned to appreciate more and more the diversity of people that come from Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Garinagu not only contributed to the birth of these nations whether they were on the right side or the wrong side of the independence revolution. They came exiled by the British, fought the war alongside the Spanish armada and made their way into a new handful of republics that were at the brink of forming. They were the ones who settled in the coveted and gorgeous Atlantic coast, cleaned it and inhabited the swamp lands enduring the malaria by virtue of casaba, a staple in their diets. They were the ones that made the difference once again. Written by: DJ Labuga
The parade will be broadcasted this Sat. September 22nd on Telefutura at 1:00 pm PST
ANDY PALACIO & THE GARIFUNA COLLECTIVE: A Benefit Concert
The Garifuna is one of the most misunderstood, unique and threatened cultures in Central America. Enter Andy Palacio & The Garifuna Collective, an all star team of musicians assembled in Belize bringing the voice and message of this unique and inspiring people. They are the ambassadors of the Garifuna culture, bringing with them a unique blend of paranda and punta from the Garifuna communities of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. These are the songs of the ancestors that connect the people with their spirituality, Garifuna spirituality.
I had the honor to witness Andy Palacio, Paul Nabor & The Garifuna Collective’s magnificent performance during GAHFU’s (Garifuna American Heritage Foundation United) benefit concert in Los Angeles, California on Friday August 3rd, 2007. The band included the primera and segunda garaoun (garifuna drums), the sisira man (shakers), the bass and the lead electric guitars, then Andy’s acoustic guitar and the main vocalist as well as the enchanting performance of Mr. Paul Nabor. Nabi as his fellow musicians call him, stole the show. He was the highlight of the performance. The audience stood up and applauded his vibrant and energetic voice. During the sound check, Nabi told me that he was very pleased with his touring of Europe and the United States. Nabi also said that he would do it again. The man looked marvelous for a man his age.
It feels unbelievably good to know that “Watina”, the album, has taken The Garifuna Collective to new horizons; from Central America to Europe and from Europe to America as in the United States of America. The tour has taken them from the east coast to the west coast and from Jazz houses to nightclubs; from nightclubs to theaters around the country. The album hit number two in May 2007 in The World Charts Europe. For those of you who have seen the show, you know that it is priceless.
The benefit concert that featured Andy Palacio & The Garifuna Collective featuring Paul Nabor, was a contribution from Andy himself, his promoters and Grand Performances in Los Angeles. The benefit concert celebrated at Latino Night Club was organized by GAHFU, Inc. and it kicked off a month long fundraiser for school supplies for “NGC School” (National Garifuna Council) in Dangriga, Belize.
The NGC School will open on Monday, September 3rd, 2007 and the community is very excited about it. The school will be managed by the NGC located in the Monument Site area of Dangriga. The school will have 5 teachers and it will start with lower division education as in Pre-School, Infant 1, Infant 11 and Standard 1. Ms. Venancia Flores is the school principal with 20 years of teaching experience under her belt in the rural areas which includes 5 years in Seine Bight.
The NGC School will seek to develop a curriculum that will include and exceed the minimum educational guidelines of the Ministry of Education for Pre and Primary Schools. The traditional curriculum will be taught which prepares children for the School-Leaving-Exams. In addition, the curriculum will be integrated with additional subject matter that would produce competency in the Garifuna Language, history and culture. Traditional Garifuna life skills and values will be taught particularly in the early years of schooling. Children will be taught to read and write in English and Garifuna in parallel and they will also be taught practical courses in agriculture. There will be a special endeavor to teach the children the skills of their ancestors and to have greater appreciation for their culture as well as the multi-cultural nature of Belize’s society.
Parents in Dangriga town have shown a strong interest in this project and so far over 75 children have been enrolled in the NGC School. There was a vote taken by the parents to make the uniform reflect the garifuna culture and the colors will be black, white and yellow. Although there is some delay in the construction of the school building, there are plans to rent a nearby facility and probably buy one house from the Mennonites which will be used for the Principal’s Office later on. Moreover, The Gulisi Garifuna Museum facility would be utilized for the Principal’s Office. There are plans to launch NGC’s own fundraising drive with the help of Hamalali Garifuna Radio by means of a Radiothon.
GAHFU, Inc. is looking to collect through your generous donations new or used computers with capabilities for internet connectivity. Also, printers, photocopy machines, projectors for video, VCRs and filing cabinets. School books with subjects such a math, English, science, geography, etc. for pre and primary school levels to be used as teaching aids. There is a great need for new pens, pencils, erasers, exercise books, folders, magic markers and coloring pencils. A P.A. (public address) system is also needed for school announcements. Monetary donations are also welcomed to purchase material for the school uniform which the students will be wearing.
The collected donations will be shipped to Dangriga, Belize duty free through National Garifuna Council and they will distribute the school supplies accordingly. GAHFU, Inc. is hoping to have these barrels shipped by the end of August 2007.
If you are interested in helping, please contact www.garifunaheritagefoundation.org website or by calling (323) 898-6841. You can also send your tax deductible donation in cash, check or money order to GAHFU P.O. Box 10054 Long Beach, CA 90810.
The NGC Youth Arm Annual Convention in Georgetown, Belize
July 13, 14, 15, 2007 (approximately 100 participants)
Friday
The convention this year started with a bang on Friday the 13th of July, 2007. Most groups attending arrived around 4:00 p.m.
After all was settled, members gathered at the GT Cultural House for the introduction of each group representative. This was done in pairs, whereby each was supposed to find out three things about their partner and share with everyone what they learned about that person.
After the intro, convention rules were given by Ms.Sharon Valentine, PR of NGCYA.
Mr. Roy Cayetano facilitated a discussion on Garifuna, past, present and future. Rahleel introduced Mr. Roy Cayetano as a famous role-model for many Garifuna youths. Mr. Roy started off by saying it’s a difficult topic because it is so expansive. He made note that the history of the Garifuna culture originated in the Caribbean (St. Vincent), not in Africa. We however do have some tie to Africa simply because some Garinagu eventually migrated there in the same way they migrated to other parts of the world.
He also mentioned that our ancestors were not deported but exiled from St. Vincent since they were citizens of St. Vincent. He continued to talk about our youth as being the future and that we are the ones who, as usual, will need to preserve our culture. Orlando Lucas, President of the NGCYA, thanked Mr. Cayetano for his presentation.
Supper was served. After supper, everyone prepared for an evening of fun which began with a social whereby youths from different branches displayed their talents in different aspects. This included: song, rap, poem, and dance. This session ended approximately at 10:00 p.m.
A karaoke session was held for interested persons at one of Georgetown’s local bars.
Saturday
On Saturday, breakfast was served from 9:00 - 10:00 am after which a mini prayer service was held.
Sharon Valentine began the opening ceremony at 10:30 with an invitation for everyone too sing the National Anthem in Garifuna. For entertainment, attendees took part in a sing-along of the song ‘Anehien Baba Wama’. Closing prayer was led by President Orlando Lucas.
The welcome address was done by Mr. Delton Marin, Chairperson of Georgetown who welcomed everyone to G.T. and wished them the best as the convention weekend progressed.
Remarks were then given by Orlando Lucas about his term as president. He mentioned that it was a difficult term for him since he felt like no support was there in certain duties done. In spite of this, he is proud of what was accomplished since the last convention in Seine Bight.
The ceremony continued with an item done by Lirahiun Satuye Dance group of Dangriga. PR officer Sharon Valentine then introduced the second speaker, Felicita Arzu, Miss World Belize. In her speech Arzu mentioned the importance of staying on top as a Garifuna youth. One quote she encouraged the youth to remember is “Losers hang out with losers and winners hang out with winners.”
Though not on the agenda, Ms.Dativa Martinez gave a talk on the importance of the theme. In light of that, she asked Miss Felicita for a copy of her speech to publicize it.
The Dangriga branch performed a second dance, followed by everyone singing a special rendition of “Buiti Biyabi”, led by its composer Mr. James Lovell, who, with a group from New York, was visiting on a cultural mission in HOPKINS.
Mr. Frank Mena, Mayor of Dangriga then gave an address. He too spoke about maintaining our culture and looking at ways youths can bind together.
NGCYA Secretary Ms. Roselin Morris closed the ceremonies.
During break time drums were played while participants sang and danced.
The convention reconvened with a spirited leadership training session facilitated by Mr. Kevin Cadle of Youth for the Future. Some topics discussed were the Definition of Leader, Five Types of Leadership, Comparative Advantage as Pertained to Belize, Extravert and Introvert Personality and others. These topics all stemmed from the issue of “Globalization”. Lunch was then served.
After lunch Ms. Judith Cayetano facilitated a session on a UNICEF Project Proposal whereby the organization has committed to invest 199,000 dollars in projects formulated by NGCYA for indigenous (Garinagu and Mayan) youth. With that said and discussed, a Proposal Committee was formed for the purpose of preparing several national activities required to be executed between July and December. The committee’s first meeting was scheduled to be held on July 21, 2007. [The members, including Marlon Melendrez, Kalima Enriquez, Tyrone Reid, Doming Valerio, Eugene Castro, Loren Enriquez, Rhaleel Elijio, Vernon Moody, Jolene Cayetano, Kenyah Castillo, Roselin morris, Nicole Castillo, Cathel Arzu, Chris Ogaldez, Arliegh Martinez and Tiffara Castillo. Activities proposed for consideration and short-listing are 1) a Song/Dance Workshop; 2) a Cooking Workshop 3) a Farming Workshop, 4) Language Classes; 5) Arts and Crafts Workshop; 6) a Garifuna Documentary and 7) a Garifuna International Youth Exchange.
Sporting activities were held though not fully supported by attendees. Many used the remainder of the day for personal use until supper. At 8:30 p.m. the Convention Jam Fest and social evening featuring The GT Band was held at the community center. That event finished at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday
Sunday’s sessions began with breakfast at 9:00 a.m. followed by a call for convention business. This session opened with the singing of Waguchi Bungiu.
Branch presentations were then submitted.
Punta Gorda moderator Hazel Cayetano reported having an active group consisting of approx. 20 members. They learn about Garifuna culture through dance and song during their once monthly meeting and look forward to taking part in other functions. They also reported that they are currently focused on fundraising.
Georgetown Moderator, Mr. Domingo Valerio, reported that they meet every Friday after being revitalized in 2006. They are currently working on a proposal for a youth centre and to convert their old school into a guest house. This group consists of 31 members.
A youth from Hopkins reported that his village does not have a youth group though some youths are asking for assistance to revitalize one.
Ms. Sharon Valentine reported that Dangriga is in the process of formulating another group. They plan to mobilize youth for upcoming events. Their first meeting will be held in the third week in August.
Belize City President Rhaleel Elijio reported that that branch meets every Saturday at the Saint Martin’s School, 3:00- 5:00 p.m. very vibrant. Some activities that they have done since last year’s convention are: farewell parties, meet with the UWI ambassador, graduation mass, Christmas parties etc.
Belmopan resident youth, Eugene Castro, who is not a NGCYA member, reported the inactivity of that branch apparently due to youth apathy toward their culture. He committed to working with Kyra Jones to revive that branch.
The single attendant from Libertad, Vesta Alvarez, who also is not an NGCYA member, reported that the movement has been taken over by the Zuniga’s family and there seems to be no distinction between NGC and NGCYA in this community. Libertad youth always have a negative attitude towards their culture.
Election of Officers was then held. AT THE END OF IT THE NEW EXECUTIVE MEMBERS ARE as follows:
President- Sharon Valentine
Public relations- Vernon Moody & Rahleel
V. President- Trevis Castillo
Secretary- Roselin Morris (2nd Term)
Asst. Sec- Loretta Rubio
Treasurer- James Flores
Asst. treasurer- Anele Guzman
Moderators: Mrs. Dativa Martinez and Mr. Jason Guerrero (2nd Term) and Ms. Judith Cayetano and Mrs. Hazel Cayetano
Next year’s convention will be held in Hopkins or in the alternative, Libertad.
Resolutions
Be it resolved that a position be formulated for the immediate past president.
Be it resolved that the inactive branches revitalize themselves for the next convention.
Be it resolved that branches needing assistance seek it from stronger branches.
Be it resolved that branches submit their executive membership minutes of meetings to the president on a monthly basis.
Be it resolved that the NGCYA executive visit each branch at least once yearly
Be it resolved that NGCYA considers holding their annual convention in conjunction with the NGC.
Black, Amerindian and Proud Of Building on Tradition ByED WARD June 26, 2007; Page D5
Punta RockersHonored in New York
By Jerry Castro
A group of distinguished Punta Rockers will be honored during the Garifuna Community Forum in New York on Saturday April 14 2007. This latest development comes as the event is less than one month and scores of people are planning to attend including local leaders and officials from the area.
The Punta Rockers include the Prince of Punta Rock James Lovell, J. King, Gadu Nunez, Paula Castillo and the late Punta Rocker Jimmy Suazo.
The Awards and recognitions are issued by Members of the New York State Legislature recognizing the contributions of members of the community in enriching their perspective districts in business, education and community issues. In the past, organizations have recieved Proclamations due to their work in the community. This is the first time in 21st Century Punta Rockers recieve individual awards recognizing their contributions to the diversity of the City and State of New York.
The recipients of the recognitions have been informed as they will be joined by a member of New York State Legislature to present their awards.
Join the Garifuna Heritage Foundation to support these legendary figures as they get recognized by their state government but more importantly, its people.
Watina Launch Ceremony Andy Palacio and the Garifuna Collective
By Joseph O. Palacio
I am honoured to share with the audience a few words at the official launching ceremony of the CD Watina done by Andy Palacio and the Garifuna Collective and produced by Stone Tree.
It is especially touching to me as Andy Palacio is my close relative and a fellow Barranguna. I affectionately call Andy “Namule” “my little brother” in Garifuna and he calls me Tati, which means ‘big brother’. I also know a little bit about Andy Palacio’s very humble beginnings in popular music, when he formed a band with friends. The band was called ‘Warambians’. Their instruments, as I recalled, were mainly discarded tin cans. With these primitive instruments the Warambians made more noise than anything else, disturbing the peace in the village at that time. From these humble beginnings Andy has moved leaps and bounds to become a world leader in Garifuna music. And for this Andy deserves all praise!
I want to mention some qualities of this CD from the perspective of evolution in the artistic expression of the Garifuna culture. Garifuna music moves in two time zones, both taking place at the same time. There is great respect to traditional roots. Besides, there is always an effort to make it popular and contemporaneous. The popularity of Punta Rock and Paranda in Belize and the region reflects these two forces – giving respect to tradition while placing the music in today’s genre.
The Watina CD has now infused a third quality into Garifuna music. It has taken Garifuna music to the next level, mainly that of world music. As world music, Watina is lovable to all Garinagu because of its unabashed roots tradition. The CD is most appreciable to others in Belize, the region, and – indeed the rest of the world – because it has those characteristics that fans all over the world – from North America, to Europe, to Africa, Asia, and Australia find appealing. The appeal stems from the CD’s unparalleled ability to touch the primeval in all of us through its highly textured fusion of melody and rhythm. You cannot help but dance along with the music on this CD even though you don’t understand the language. For those who are privileged to understand the language, the lyrics are rich in poetic imagery.
Although Watina has certainly climbed to the top of the charts in world music, it is first and foremost a Belizean product using talent drawn from communities in Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize. The group of musicians that Ivan Duran and Andy Palacio have drawn together are unusually talented men and women at the individual as well as the group levels.
Secondly, the CD features a wide selection of composers, providing an unusual opportunity for the not too well known to work side by side with such pros as Aurelio Martinez, Paul Nabor, Adrian ‘the doc’ Martinez, and Lugua Centeno. The ability to compose original songs remains probably the most difficult of the music industry. Watina has given several men and women this golden opportunity. And in doing so, it has unleashed the potential for our future Andy Palacios. A good example is Aguyuha Niduheñu, a traditional song arranged by Felix ‘Reckless’ Flores.
Thirdly, the musical arrangement and production that Ivan Duran and the folks at Stone Tree continue to demonstrate their unparallel dedication to perfection. Every note is well executed and leads seamlessly to the other.
The Watina CD is truly a celebration of the work of many crossing several borders but finally radiating from Belize and more especially the foothills of the Maya Mountains at Benque Viejo del Carmen. Everyone has to get a copy of this CD for his/her own collection. Enjoy!
National Garifuna Council Convention March 10, 2007
Keynote address by Jerry A. Enriquez Strengthening the bonds of our culture
We have a good reason to be here at this annual NGC convention. This special occasion brings together Garinagu from all over Belize to reflect on where we are as a people, to share our ideas and collective vision, to reinforce our common history and to celebrate our culture. "Generation to Generation: Strengthening bonds of culture, unity, tradition, brother and sisterhood," is the captivating convention theme under which we are united here today.
NGC doing its part – all voluntarily
We must give thanks to NGC for its commitment, hard work, and dedicated voluntary service for our people. It is no easy task that NGC undertake as spelt out in its objectives, among them: to preserve Garifuna culture through its language, music, foods, dances, crafts, arts and rituals; to promote economic development of Garifuna communities in Belize, in order to make them productive and self-reliant; to seek education and training opportunities, in the fields that will serve the specific needs of Garifuna communities.
Over the years the council has consistently placed development issues affecting our people on the national agenda. The council has recently secured secondary school and university scholarships for Garifuna youth, promoted Garifuna culture at home and abroad and has formulated a strategic plan to foster development in Garifuna communities.
Please join me in saying a heartfelt thanks to NGC President, Mr. Mike Polonio and members of his NGC team for their hard work – voluntary work -- and dedicated service for our people. Seremein.
All their accomplishments have never been easy. Members of NGC, at the national branch level, serve on a completely voluntary basis. None is a full time employee or a paid worker of the council. Despite the busy schedules of their own full time work and family commitments, NGC executive members dedicate their time, often with personal sacrifices, to undertake very demanding work to advance the cause of our people. Even through times that could be very discouraging, they kept their faith with a focused commitment to serve. We must wonder what would be the state of Garinagu all over Belize without NGC's voluntary contribution. Who else have even attempted the daunting objectives they have articulated. The task is huge and can never be fully accomplished only through the voluntary efforts of a few. The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Aye madugu wama caba adugei? Ayen madugu wama gwele, idamegi wadugu?
Our ancestors laid the foundation
A little over two hundred years ago, our ancestors shared a common vision when European forces threatened their very livelihood and resources at Yurumei, their homeland. Their vision was to protect and preserve their identity, their land and their way of life. To defend these they fought bravely against a dominant world power. Our forefathers recognized even since that time that if they allowed themselves to be divided as a people, or alienated from their own lands and resources, or made dependent on an external power -- that would shatter the very fabric of their identity as a people. Through their physical battles with the dominant colonial powers, a clear point was made. We shall not be enslaved. We shall not be divided by others who wish to gain power by diminishing us. These powerful lessons of our history of survival have shaped our people. We now must continue to remember our history. Those who forget the lessons of the past are like trees without roots.
Even after our ancestors were expelled from St. Vincent and dumped on Roatan, even after we migrated to Belize, we have survived. Even after we were called devil worshippers in order to wipe out spirituality, our spirituality still exist. Our souls are rooted in our tradition. Our artists have commanded musical expressions that have crossed over to all ethnicities of Belize. We have come a long, long way. Our ancestors fought for what we have and we must keep the faith, keep the struggle.
Shortly after Garifuna people arrived in Belize in 1823, they were recognized as a resilient and strong group of free people. They were recognized for their pioneering spirit, their intellectual curiosity and disposition, and their facility for language. (It was quite common for Garifuna families throughout the 1900s to speak the languages of all the other groups of Belize, even while none have ventured to learn our language.) Many personal and family sacrifices were made as our great grandparents, grandparents and parents were sent throughout all remote communities of Belize to set up schools and to teach several other groups. The best leaders from Garifuna were uprooted to go out to teach others, which over the years resulted in a vacuum of leadership.
And while our ancestors were re-establishing their communities they were also able to continue feed themselves from the land and sea resources. They used to have backyard gardens where they planted their own crops, cassava, plantain, coco yams, fever grass, and fruit trees. This is not to mention the plantations they also had to feed themselves. From the sea was always fresh fish. We have come a long way.
Our forefathers have endured tremendous sacrifices and have made their mark on us. It is the values that they passed on that have made so many of us who we are today. Today, because of their sacrifices, we have made important contributions to Belize's development through every field of professions and occupations at home and abroad. Generation to generation, we must pass on those values that kept us together and rooted in our culture even while making profound contributions to Belize's development.
Garinagu cultural values are threatened
Today our bonds are not as strong as our forefathers had fought for, and in fact these are gradually (perhaps rapidly) weakening. Even while we have recorded our people's impressive cultural, educational and professional achievements, where are we today? What is our collective vision? What do we struggle for now as a people?
Through the history of humankind we see that societies (even powerful ones) could rise and fall, and even collapse. The erosion of a society begins when people feel a sense of disconnectedness from each other, when people stop caring for each other and when we stop sacrificing for a common cause. A society also erodes when people lose hope and when people lose being in touch with the essence (the spirituality) of who they are. We have to be careful not to lose that essence -- our soul force.
Just as it was the experience of our ancestors in the past, our unity, our tradition, our bonds are threatened by dominant economic forces, our culturally irrelevant education system, any religious system that disrespects us, a political systems that breeds and foments division, dominant world values that does not have any concern or respect for who we are. We are called to be stronger in our own survival spirit if we care about ourselves. We are called to develop strong, guiding, and caring leadership that envisions the greater good of all.
There is much more to be done. What is keeping us apart? What is keeping our people from uniting together and supporting one another? Why is it that we cannot support each other even within our small communities, to bond together to challenge those systems that keep us divided? What is it that keeps us a state of dependence and poverty, even as the very fabric of our identity is being threatened? There seems a loss of hope, a rapid deterioration of our inner values.
We all have to be actively involved to make positive changes
At the same time while people are searching for leadership in their communities, it would be very unrealistic to ask NGC or any one organization to tackle all our cultural, social, economic and other problems while others sit back and wait, and not get involved in our own way. We all have to get involved. NGC on its own, within its given structure of part time volunteers cannot do it without the support of all. Yet, NGC must open itself to renewing its own structure to become more effective in its work.
There is an important African concept that I find quite fitting for our reflection. This concept speaks to the same spiritual foundation that binds our people together. It is called Ubuntu. The ethic of Ubuntu means that – "I am what I am because of what we all are" "A person is a person because of other persons." "There is a bond of sharing that connects us all to make us who we are." The ethic of Ubuntu also says that, "What dehumanizes you, dehumanizes me."
Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa describes the principle of Ubuntu as this: "A person with ubuntu is open and available to others, reaches out for the good of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, knowing that he or she belongs to a greater whole. When others are unjustly treated it comes back to haunt the others. A person with ubuntu is welcoming, warm and generous and willing to share. They know that they are diminished when others are humiliated, diminished when others are oppressed, diminished when others are treated as if they were less than who they are."
The quality of ubuntu gives people resilience, enabling them to survive and emerge still human despite all efforts to dehumanize them. We have a similar principle in Garifuna that has made us who we are today – "I for you and you for me."
When we talk about "Strengthening bonds" as is stated in the theme for this convention we have to begin at the very foundation of our relationship with others and examine how these bonds are enhance or destroyed in our society.
The family as a vehicle for cultural values
The core of a society and a culture begins with the family (even though families are also defined and impacted by society). But for the purposes of our culture, what is the nature of bonding in the family? Are our cultural values passed on within the family? Is there concern for the other? Is the bonding within the family nurturing and enhancing the values of our culture?
Psychologists tell us that even as a child is developing in the womb that child will be affected by the mother's behavior and state of being. When that child is born, and through his/her early years, that child is formed in the values of the family? Mothers and fathers cannot give up their responsibility to ground their children with positive values. Are we strengthening the bonds of our culture or are we already breaking it? Remember each time we break the bond we add to the splintering of our values and in the long-term we add to the deterioration and destruction of who we are.
The role of the Education System in transmitting cultural values
After the child's first years with his family he enters his first formal institution of society – the school and our education system. Is our education system enhancing or deteriorating our way of life and the values of productivity that our culture once had. While have inherited a colonial system of education that could alienate us from who we are, why is it that this system continue to alienate us from our own culture and our own natural resources (land and sea) that used to sustain the livelihood of our forefathers? For example, after we train a child to sit in a class all day (and just listen) for 8 years in primary school and another 4 years in high school wouldn't you then expect him or her to find a job where he or she continue to sit (and just listen)?
Why is it that after being through the system we become even more separate? Is the education system designed to process our minds for subservience and obedience to diminish ourselves for the economic benefits of others? Is the school system designed to perpetuate an oligarchy of elites while failing the majority of our young people -- (perpetuating failure not only academically, but economically by paralyzing any creative entrepreneurial spirit to earn and sustain a living, while entrenching a dependency on a new class of colonialists?)
We cannot continue with the same system that over the years have condemned several to failure from the opportunity of improving their lives. The school system (both the formal and informal education system) of our society is a very critical institution for strengthening bonds towards developing a holistic and productive person in society.
When both the school system and family fail to ground an individual toward positive values for the fullness of his life, there is the resulting sense of loss, a sense of chaos, -- crime, violence & abuse, frustration, alcoholism, diseases. What we do or fail to do for others will come back to us – individually, communally and society as a whole? We are what we are because of what others are. We have to continuously re-examine and recreate all these systems that diminish us.
It takes committed leadership to enhance and develop a people.
The leadership of a society ensures that its values are protected, preserved and enhanced for the greater good of its people. Leaders of society are entrusted by the people to access and distribute resources equitably to serve the greater good. Leaders ought to reflect the positive values of a society so as to guide new generations to realize the best of who they are. Human and cultural bonds are created or broken by the type of leadership a society has. Do our leaders serve to bond us or to separate us? Do their actions or policies enhance us as a people or seek to diminish us? Do their policies and actions for development show real desire to enhance the economic livelihood of our people?
Every institution of society is designed to enhance the human values towards the greater good. When any of the systems fail – whether the family, the school, the community, or the leadership, we are bound to see its effect on those whom it failed. When others are unjustly treated it will come back to haunt all of us. When others are humiliated and diminished, when others are oppressed and treated as if they were less than who they are, it will come back to haunt us. These are breaking points of a culture and of a people.
We must begin the work now
We have work to do. Those to whom much is given, much more is expected. Those of us who have varying degrees of "success" through our family, the school, religious, and economic system have a duty to reach out to others, especially our disadvantaged brothers and sisters. Through all fields of our expertise we should serve as a catalyst and proud examples of our resilience. We are what we are because of what others were to us. We cannot afford to sit back on our laurels.
At home or abroad we Garinagu have to recognize that there is a psychological, social and cultural struggle, especially among our youths, (like other Black youths in Belize) that will get even more challenging if we continue to ignore or pretend that it does not exist. We are each called to support efforts or initiate any program to develop our people. We must do it for ourselves. If not us, who? If not now, when.
All families must root children in positive values. We must rigorously intervene to have our school curriculum overhauled from its dilapidated, neocolonialistic state. We must develop an action plan for economic security of all Garinagu. It is not enough for governments and international organizations to admire our culture. We should translate admiration to tangible benefits for our greater good. If not us, who? If not now, when?
We need to reclaim ourselves, the warmth of our hearts, the caring of our spirit, the love for one another. Above all, each human person seeks meaning to life. When there is no bond among ourselves and with others, there are seeds of mistrust, fear, anger, jealousy, greed which leads to violence, abuse, theft, murder, domination and oppression, and all these negative reflections of a loss of soul – a loss that often seeks to fulfill itself through insatiable, material and carnal desires. The foundation for strengthening bonds within any culture has to begin with good will, wholesome thoughts, and positive actions. The fruits of human bonding ought to lead to happiness, peace, compassion, creative goodwill and love for one another. Let each and all our actions be for the good of our people and for everyone. And let it be motivated by love. For it is love, and all its passionate actions towards the greater personal, social, economic and holistic good of others, that really strengthens all bonds.
It is not an easy task. We are called to a new way of thinking and new approaches to our work. We cannot stand aside in separateness and apathy, and keep waiting for others, like the NGC, to do it all. (Ask not what NGC can do for you but what you can do for our people.) Our very survival depends on our rootedness in spirit and a commitment to act for the greater good. Each of us must do our part. If not us, who? If not now, when? Keynote Address, National Garifuna Council Annual Convention, Dangriga -- J. A. Enriquez 3/10/07
The Garifuna shall never be enslaved
Garinagu Empowerment Movement's achievement for Garinagu in Los Angeles, CA
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New Drumming and Conversational Garifuna and Garifuna Dance classes added!
This picture shows the inside of the Dabuyaba looking to the front entrance door towards the Caribbean Sea. You can notice the three drums used during the ceremony of the DUGU.
The Drums.
Fermin Arzu as he discusses his plans for the Dabuyaba with Cheryl L. Noralez and Rony Figueroa.
The Dabuyaba from the main entrance
Jobo, DJ Labuga & Mohubob Flores at Umalali Studios in Los Angeles, California during the 19th of November 2008. 
Agudahei Wagucha
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.
Sandra Bell's Tribute To Andy Palacio in New York Feb. '08
Proyecto Nacimiento USA - Hospital en Ciriboya, Honduras
Dr. Luther Harry Castillo - Doctor Hondureño Garifuna graduado en Cuba.
On Sunday October 28 in Seville Spain, Andy Palacio and producer IvanDuran received the 2007 WOMEX award. Palacio gave the acceptance speechand performed two songs with the Garifuna Collective. Wátina has also been selected as the number 1 world music album of 2007 by the WorldMusic Charts Europe DJ.
