Culture

Language(s): Eng

Summary/Historical Context

The Garifuna language belongs to the Arawakan group of languages and has survived centuries of discrimination and linguistic domination. It is rich in tales (úraga) originally recited during wakes or large gatherings.The melodies bring together African and Amerindian elements, and the texts are a veritable repository of the history and traditional knowledge of the Garifuna, such as cassava-growing, fishing, canoe-building and the construction of baked mud houses. There is also a considerable amount of satire in these songs, which are accompanied by various drums and dances, which the spectators may join in.

on this subject: Belize: country data (clt.unesco.org)

Place/country: Belize,
Type: Documentary
Duration: 00:15:02
Author/director: National Garifuna Council,
Published in: 2000

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