GARIFUNA SETTLEMENT DAY – NOVEMBER 19TH
Garifuna Settlement Day is a public holiday in Belize, celebrated each year on November 19. The holiday was created by Belizean civil rights activist, Thomas Vincent Ramos, in 1941. It was recognized as a public holiday in the southern districts of Belize in 1943, and declared a national holiday in 1977. Wikipedia
Garifuna Settlement Day Celebration is November 19, an annual holiday celebrated in the country of Belize. On this day, the arrival of the first Garinagu to Belize by dory (dug-out canoe) is celebrated by all Garifuna communities at home and abroad.
Garifuna Settlement Day is celebrated for a whole week including parades, live music, drumming, dancing, prayers, Garifuna mass and election of Miss Garifuna take place to mark the anniversary. In communities like Dangriga and Punta Gorda, a dory symbolizing the arrival of the first Garinagu, is floating to shore around early morning dawn while local Garinagu women dressed in their colorful costumes.
There have been celebrations all week long in Belize, Los Angeles and other states.
Since 1943 November 19th has been a public holiday in the Stan Creek and Toledo districts called Garifuna Settlement Day. From 1977 November 19th has been a county wide public holiday.
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