Today, November 19 is Garifuna Settlement Day and is one of the most important holidays of the year in Belize. This holiday commemorates the arrival of the Garifuna people onto the shores of Belize and is celebrated for the entire week throughout the country, but especially in Dangriga, the spiritual capital of the Garifuna people.

Celebrating Garifuna Culture Through Music

Music has been at the forefront of the effort to preserve the Garifuna culture. And in honour of this important day, we encourage you to experience the music of The Garifuna Collective. 

The Garifuna Collective is based in Belize and made up of more than 50 musicians of varied generations who strive to express and keep alive the unique music and culture of the Garifuna people.

For over 10 years The Garifuna Collective has pushed the boundaries of their dynamic, centuries-old musical traditions, breaking new ground with performances that show why UNESCO has proclaimed the language, dance, and music of the Garifuna people of Central America as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”.

And congratulations go out to The Garifuna Collective on their release of a new album - Aban. which is currently the number one album in the November 2019 Transglobal World Music Chart.

Discover the Sound of the Garifuna Collective in the first single, HAMALA (Let Him Fly)

A beautiful song which celebrates the dreams and aspirations of the new generation of Garifuna children.

Planning a trip to Belize?

If you want to immerse yourself into Belize's unique Afro-Caribbean Garifuna culture, then a visit to the southern Stann Creek and Toledo Districts should be a must do on your itinerary.

Contact us today and let one of our Belize vacation specialists plan your trip. You can reach us by email at info@islandexpedtions.com or call 1.800.667.1630