Garifuna Negotiation Day Celebrations in Belize

http://www.belizeambassador.com/garifuna-settlement-day-celebrations-belize/
Garifuna Negotiation Day Celebrations in Belize
November 19 is a special holiday in the country of Belize — the Garifuna Settlement Day. The Garifuna, locally known as Garinagu, are mixed with Arawak Indian, Carib Indian and African people who were considered to be enemies of the British during some Carib wars in the 1700s. This led to their exile to Roatan from St. Vincent which was uninhabitable at that time. From here, they made their way to the mainland and eventually settled along the Central American coast.

Belize is home to numerous Garifuna villages, including Punta Gorda, Dangriga and Hopkins. The Garifuna culture is a very important part of the history of Belize that even UNESCO recognizes it. In fact, in 2001, UNESCO proclaimed the language, music and dance of the Garifuna as a ‘Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity'in Belize, Honduras and Nicaragua.