The Garifuna are one of Belize’s most vibrant and resilient cultural groups, celebrated for their music, food, traditions, and rich history. Their story begins in the late 1600s when shipwrecked Africans intermarried with the Arawak and Carib people of St. Vincent in the Caribbean. Over centuries, the Garifuna became a distinct cultural group, fiercely resisting colonization until they were exiled by the British in 1796.
From St. Vincent, they migrated to Roatán and eventually spread along the Caribbean coast of Central America, including Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. By 1802, Garifuna communities had firmly established themselves in Belize, especially in the southern coast. Today, towns like Dangriga, Hopkins, Seine Bight, Barranco, and Punta Gorda are known as cultural strongholds of the Garifuna people.
Belize recognizes the Garifuna not only as a vital part of its multicultural heritage but as cultural leaders who shaped the nation’s spirit. In fact, the Garifuna language, music, and dance were declared by UNESCO in 2001 as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Every November 19, Belize comes alive with Garifuna Settlement Day—a national holiday that reenacts the arrival of the Garifuna to the shores of Belize, known as the Yurumein. It’s a day of song, drumming, dance, parades, and unity, drawing both locals and travelers to southern Belize to witness this colorful and emotional celebration.
Music is at the heart of the Garifuna identity. It is more than entertainment; it’s a spiritual language that tells their history, values, and collective memory. Traditional Garifuna music is built around the primero (tenor) and segunda (bass) drums, with shakkas (maracas), turtle shells, and heartfelt vocals.
Punta – perhaps the most famous Garifuna genre, a fast-paced dance that showcases skill, energy, and rhythm.
Punta Rock – a modern twist pioneered by Belizean legend Pen Cayetano in the 1980s, mixing traditional drums with bass, electric guitars, and lyrics that took Belize and the wider Caribbean by storm.
Paranda – storytelling music with soulful guitar, sharing messages of struggle, resilience, and hope.
Wanaragua (Jankunu) – a Christmas-time dance where costumed men in white masks perform intricate footwork that guides the rhythm of the drummers.
The late Andy Palacio and The Garifuna Collective brought global recognition to Belize with the award-winning album Wátina, cementing Garifuna music as one of the world’s treasures.
No authentic experience of the Garifuna people is complete without their food. Rooted in tradition and labor-intensive preparation, Garifuna cuisine is flavorful, hearty, and tied to the land and sea.
Hudut – a signature dish: fish simmered in a coconut broth (sere) served with mashed plantains.
Ereba (Cassava Bread) – a staple that takes days to prepare using ancestral tools like the ruguma and hibise.
Bundiga – green bananas cooked with coconut milk and spices.
Tapou – another hearty coconut-based stew with seafood.
Dharasa – a Garifuna-style tamale made with green bananas, prepared sweet or savory.
Even their desserts and drinks center around cassava and plantains, highlighting the resilience of a culture that learned to thrive with what the earth provided.
Garifuna identity is proudly displayed in their flag, featuring three horizontal stripes:
Black for the African heritage
White for the peace they embraced in their new homeland
Yellow for the hope and prosperity of the future
Traditional attire is most visible during festivals like Settlement Day or the Jankunu celebrations: white shirts, black or white trousers, vibrant sashes, seashell adornments, and elaborate headdresses. Brightly colored dashikis and headscarves are also a part of modern cultural dress.
To truly immerse yourself in the Garifuna culture in Belize, visit towns like Hopkins, Dangriga, Seine Bight, or Barranco, where you can witness live drumming, taste traditional meals, and join celebrations like Settlement Day or Battle of the Drums. Travelers often find themselves swept up in the rhythm of the drums, feeling the heartbeat of a culture that has survived exile, hardship, and centuries of resilience.
The Garifuna worldview is deeply spiritual, blending Catholicism with ancestral African and Indigenous beliefs. They see life as interconnected between the living and the dead, with rituals designed to honor and maintain this harmony.
Dügü – an ancestral rite bringing families together to heal, reconnect, and seek guidance from spirits.
Beluria – a ceremony held nine nights after a death to honor the departed.
Their philosophy—“I for you, you for me”—emphasizes respect, family, and community, guiding not only their rituals but their everyday life.
To truly immerse yourself in the Garifuna culture in Belize, visit towns like Hopkins, Dangriga, Seine Bight, or Barranco, where you can witness live drumming, taste traditional meals, and join celebrations like Settlement Day or Battle of the Drums. Travelers often find themselves swept up in the rhythm of the drums, feeling the heartbeat of a culture that has survived exile, hardship, and centuries of resilience.
The Garifuna people are the only Afro-Caribbean group in the Americas who preserved their native culture without being enslaved. Their survival is a story of resilience, freedom, and creativity, and Belize is proud to be one of the few countries where their traditions flourish today.
For visitors, it’s not just about seeing a festival—it’s about connecting with a people who embody Belize’s spirit of strength, unity, and joy.
At Authentically Belize, we believe in showcasing Belize beyond its beaches and jungle trails. The Garifuna culture is one of the country’s greatest treasures—its songs, dances, foods, and traditions invite you to slow down, listen, and connect with history in a way few cultures can offer.
Come explore it authentically. Join us in celebrating Garifuna culture in Belize, share your experiences, and let the rhythm of the drums remind you what it means to live, love, and belong.