belize culture Archives - Warasa Garifuna Drum School https://www.warasadrumschool.com/tag/belize-culture/ Garifuna Drumming, Dancing, Drum-Making & More in beautiful Belize! Immerse yourself in Garifuna culture. Wed, 18 Feb 2026 01:42:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 https://i0.wp.com/www.warasadrumschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/cropped-twodrumsmonochromecopyright-edited-1.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 belize culture Archives - Warasa Garifuna Drum School https://www.warasadrumschool.com/tag/belize-culture/ 32 32 132726970 Garifuna Culture Activity Packages https://www.warasadrumschool.com/garifuna-drumming-dancing-drum-making-more-in-beautiful-belize/garifuna-cultural-activities-belize/garifuna-culture-activity-packages/ Tue, 03 Nov 2015 01:18:40 +0000 https://warasadrumschool.wordpress.com/?page_id=300 Fantastic value half-day Garifuna cultural packages in Punta Gorda, Belize

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]]> Garifuna Culture Activity Packages

Half-Day Drumming Packages

We offer flexible half-day Garifuna culture activity packages, with the option to include a traditional Garifuna meal of fresh fish fillet sauteed in mildly spiced coconut milk served with mashed plantain (known as “hudut” in Garifuna). Minimum 2 people.

Select any three activities from the list below to make up your half-day package:
1:   1 hour interactive Garifuna drumming lesson
2:   1 hour interactive drum-making lesson/demonstration
3:   30 minute traditional Garifuna drum group performance featuring 4-member band
4:   1 hour traditional Garifuna dancing lesson
Cost per person:
For groups of 2-3 people: $110USD/ $220BZ (without meal)
For groups of 4-8 people: $80USD/ 160BZ (without meal)
To include fish fillet hudut dinner or lunch add $10USD/ $20BZD per person.

Half-Day Garifuna Drumming & Cooking Package

Please note this activity is not currently available. We hope to be offering it again later in 2020!
We offer a 1 hour drumming lesson, followed by approximately 2 hour cooking lesson, where you will learn how to cook the traditional Garifuna meal of hudut. You will learn how to make coconut milk from scratch, prepare and pound the green and ripe plantain, and season the coconut milk broth ready to sautee the fresh fillet fish. You will then sit down and enjoy the delicious meal you just made!
Minimum 4 people.

Cost per person:
For groups of 4-8 people: $80USD/ 160Bz
If you have an idea for bespoke Garifuna culture activity packages let us know!

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]]> 300 Garifuna drumming lessons and more https://www.warasadrumschool.com/garifuna-drumming-dancing-drum-making-more-in-beautiful-belize/garifuna-cultural-activities-belize/ Tue, 03 Nov 2015 01:08:57 +0000 https://warasadrumschool.wordpress.com/?page_id=294 Garifuna drumming lessons and other cultural activities at Warasa appeal to a wide range of guests. From interactive lessons in drumming, dancing or drum-making, to simply sitting back and enjoying a traditional performance, we can arrange it all! You can book your activity on our Reservation page or on the individual activity pages linked below. […]

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]]> Garifuna drumming lessons and other cultural activities at Warasa appeal to a wide range of guests. From interactive lessons in drumming, dancing or drum-making, to simply sitting back and enjoying a traditional performance, we can arrange it all! You can book your activity on our Reservation page or on the individual activity pages linked below.  If you have any problems booking through our website, email us or call us on +501 632 7701 or 628-2337 (both WhatsApp preferred).

Garifuna cultural activities

Enjoy an authentic, interactive drumming lesson as your instructor sings and plays along with you.  Or get stuck in with a drum-making session. Learn the traditional and modern ways of making our drums using solid wood logs, jungle vines, deerskin.  Learn about the plants and seeds used to make our maracas.  Move your hips and learn the traditional Garifuna dances.  Learn to make the traditional Garifuna lunch of “hudut”.  Or, just sit back and enjoy a traditional meal and professional group performance

Warasa and more

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]]> 294 Garifuna Drums of Belize and the Caribbean https://www.warasadrumschool.com/garifuna-culture/garifuna-drums/ Tue, 03 Nov 2015 01:04:32 +0000 https://warasadrumschool.wordpress.com/?page_id=288 Here at Warasa we make Garifuna drums by hollowing out solid trunks of hardwood. Garifuna drums are genuine solid wood drums with no joins or glue  The hollow is traditionally started by burning hot coals in the centre of the trunk, but these days, unless some termites have chewed out a hollow for us, it […]

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]]> 886745_642546015806365_721270680_o
Here at Warasa we make Garifuna drums by hollowing out solid trunks of hardwood. Garifuna drums are genuine solid wood drums with no joins or glue  The hollow is traditionally started by burning hot coals in the centre of the trunk, but these days, unless some termites have chewed out a hollow for us, it is often started with the help of a chainsaw!

Once a rough hollow is made, a long chisel is used to chisel the log into a cylinder, and is then planed and sanded smooth.  Holes are drilled around the bottom of the cylinder for the ropes to pass through when it is time to add the skin.

Deer skin is the most commonly used skin, and it must be soaked, the hair scraped off, and then rinsed, before being cut to the correct size.  Natural vines (called teetay in Belize) are used to create two rings that fit snugly over the top of the drum cylinder: these rings are what holds the skin in place with the aid of the rope.  When they are cut from the jungle, the vines are very flexible, but they become rigid after a few hours, so the rings must be formed to the correct shape and size soon after they are cut.

The rope is one single length that is threaded through the holes around the bottom of the drum and then through the upper ring which pulls down on the skin.  The rope is tightened by turning hand-carved wooden pins, which causes the skin to be pulled taut.

The skin is still wet when it is first fixed to the drum, but the drum with its skin must then be left in the hot sun in order for it to dry.  Once it is totally dry, the top side of the skin is then sanded smooth while still on the drum.  The rope is then adjusted and the pins tightened again.

Once the skin is tight enough, the snare strings or wire are added.  For the Segunda drum, string is used to make a double snare wire; for Primero, the McDonald family like to use a few strands the wire from inside a bicycle brake wire cable, as it is strong and does not rust.  Wire produces a harder sound than string, and better suits the Primero drum than string.

The cylinder of a Garifuna drum can last decades if looked after and varnished regularly, but the skin must occasionally be replaced. Ray’s father, Mario, has had the same mahogany Segunda and Primero drums for over 40 years!

Below are some Garifuna items and jewellery pieces made by us from sea glass collected in Belize.  [etsy-shop shop_name=”SilverNSeaglass” section_id=”32754960″] [etsy-shop shop_name=”SilverNSeaglass” section_id=”32336250″] [etsy-shop shop_name=”SilverNSeaglass” section_id=”32351705″] [etsy-shop shop_name=”SilverNSeaglass” section_id=”32336978″]

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]]> 288 Garifuna Music https://www.warasadrumschool.com/garifuna-culture/garifuna-music/ Tue, 03 Nov 2015 00:56:38 +0000 https://warasadrumschool.wordpress.com/?page_id=279   Music is an integral part of Garifuna culture.  Garifuna music is very distinct from the other styles of music found in Central and Latin America.  The Garinagu integrate song and music into all aspects of their life.  Therefore many songs are about activities like fishing or cooking or giving advice to a loved one. […]

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]]>  Garifuna music

Music is an integral part of Garifuna culture.  Garifuna music is very distinct from the other styles of music found in Central and Latin America.  The Garinagu integrate song and music into all aspects of their life.  Therefore many songs are about activities like fishing or cooking or giving advice to a loved one.

Traditional Garifuna music is based on a small number of basic rhythms.  These are Paranda, Punta, Chumba, Hungu-Hungu, Wanaragua (also known as Jonkanu), Gunjei, and Dugu.  Dugu is a sacred rhythm that is only played in the Temple.   Shakas (maracas), turtle shells, conch shell (for a horn), guitar (in Paranda) and other percussion are also commonly used.

Garifuna Musicians

Well-known traditional Garifuna musicians include Paul Nabor and Aurelio Martinez (Paranda), Andy Palacio and Adrian “Doc” Martinez.

Punta Rock is the contemporary version of the traditional Punta.  In contrast to the original music, Punta Rock bands include an electric bass guitar, a synthesized keyboard, and a drum machine.  Well-known Punta Rock musicians include Supa G, Aziatic and Lova Boy.

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]]> 279 Garifuna Culture https://www.warasadrumschool.com/garifuna-culture/ Mon, 02 Nov 2015 00:20:06 +0000 http://warasadrumschool.com/?page_id=224 Garifuna culture unites Garinagu people in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and also those who now live in other countries including the United States. In 2008 the Garifuna language, music and song were inscribed as part of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO (UNESCO – Intangible Heritage of the Garifuna) Origin of the Garifuna Culture […]

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]]> Garifuna culture unites Garinagu people in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and also those who now live in other countries including the United States.

In 2008 the Garifuna language, music and song were inscribed as part of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO (UNESCO – Intangible Heritage of the Garifuna)

Origin of the Garifuna Culture and People

Garifuna cultureIn the 18th century slave ships from western Africa became shipwrecked near the island of Saint Vincent in the Caribbean.  Several hundreds of slaves that escaped and made it to shore settled on the island.  Already living there at that time were Carib and Arawak Amerindians (originally from South America). The African settlers intermarried with the inhabitants of Saint Vincent.  This created a new ethnic group that became known as the Garinagu (in the past also know as the Black Caribs).  The culture of the African settlers combined with the language and culture of the Carib and Arawak into this new “Garifuna” culture.

Conflict with European Settlers

In the late 18th century French and British settlers in the islands fought for control over Saint Vincent.  The Garinagu population sided with the French.  However the British won, and forced the Garinagu population to the island of Balliceux.  Many thousands died on the journey across the Caribbean and on Balliceux.  Those that survived continued their journey and ultimately settled along the Caribbean coasts of Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Belize.

Garifuna Settlement Day

Every year on 19th November Belizeans celebrate the anniversary of the arrival of one of the largest groups of Garifuna people to the shores of Belize in 1802.  This day is called Garifuna Settlement Day, or sometimes simply as “Yurumein”.  Yurumein is the Garifuna name for Saint Vincent, the island where several Spanish slave ships were wrecked in the 17th century.   This eventually led to the emergence of the Garifuna people and culture.

Garifuna Culture and Language

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 Garifuna language has also adopted words from the other nationalities that are involved in their history.  This includes French, Spanish and English.

If you ask a Garifuna person to count from one to twenty, you will soon recognize the French influence.  The Garifuna words for window, sheep, and cheese are also examples of the French influence.  Many Garifuna people’s surnames are traditional Spanish names, such as Martinez and Bermudez.  Others are Spanish, such as Augustin and Franzua.

Click to view slideshow. Below are some Garifuna items and jewellery pieces made by us from sea glass collected in Belize.  [etsy-shop shop_name=”SilverNSeaglass” section_id=”32754960″] [etsy-shop shop_name=”SilverNSeaglass” section_id=”32336250″] [etsy-shop shop_name=”SilverNSeaglass” section_id=”32351705″] [etsy-shop shop_name=”SilverNSeaglass” section_id=”32336978″]

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]]> 224 Experience Authentic Garifuna Drumming Lessons in Belize https://www.warasadrumschool.com/ Sat, 18 Jul 2015 21:11:50 +0000 http://warasadrumschool.com/?page_id=195 Authentic Garifuna drumming lessons, dancing, drum making and more in beautiful Belize! The number one location to experience authentic Garifuna drumming, dancing, drum making and more in beautiful Belize! As featured on CNN, the BBC and on TripAdivisor! Warasa offers authentic and enriching cultural experiences for both local and international visitors. Warasa’s founder has over […]

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]]> Authentic Garifuna drumming lessons, dancing, drum making and more in beautiful Belize!

The number one location to experience authentic Garifuna drumming, dancing, drum making and more in beautiful Belize!

As featured on CNN, the BBC and on TripAdivisor!

Warasa offers authentic and enriching cultural experiences for both local and international visitors. Warasa’s founder has over 30 years’ experience playing drums and over 15 years’ experience of teaching drumming. He is a former drummer, dancer and singer from the Belize National Dance Company and has played internationally.

Discover the profound history and culture of the Garifuna people while mastering the intricate traditional drumbeats and dances that have influenced music throughout Central America. For individuals, small or large groups, we accommodate groups of up to 25 people at a time. The McDonald family have played internationally and used to perform with the famous Paul Nabor. Ronald, our founder, Mario, his father, Ivan, his younger brother and other family and friends work together to provide a warm welcome to Garifuna music and culture.

Savor the spacious ambiance of our traditional thatch drum school nestled in the heart of the Garifuna community of Punta Gorda, Belize. Surround yourself with lush vegetation, observe parakeets and toucans nearby. All of this is just a short trip away.

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]]> 195 Belize time – I’ll do it right now…. https://www.warasadrumschool.com/ill-do-it-right-now/ https://www.warasadrumschool.com/ill-do-it-right-now/#comments Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:12:46 +0000 http://blog.warasadrumschool.com/?p=79 Since moving to Belize, if I need something done urgently, and someone tells me they’ll do it “right now”, I get an uncanny sinking feeling in my stomach.  In Belize time, “right now” can be roughly translated as meaning “at some indefinite, potentially distant time in the future”.  It certainly doesn’t mean “now”. The time […]

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]]> Since moving to Belize, if I need something done urgently, and someone tells me they’ll do it “right now”, I get an uncanny sinking feeling in my stomach.  In Belize time, “right now” can be roughly translated as meaning “at some indefinite, potentially distant time in the future”.  It certainly doesn’t mean “now”.

The time in Belize is -6 hours GMT.  But “Belize time” is a far more subjective and fuzzy concept.  Work begins on time (unless it is raining, in which case if you don’t have a car, then it is perfectly acceptable at many workplaces to not show up until the rain stops).  Meetings begin 15-30 minutes late.  Parades, weddings and other big events start one or two hours after the “official” start time.

My own wedding had an “official” written start time of 3pm.  So, at 2.55pm, my dad arrived at our house to drive me to the wedding venue.  I was wrapped in a towel, with wet hair, in the middle of sticking on my false nails.  I’d forgotten to tell my dad about Belize time.

While the official start time ticked on by, Ray’s extended family whisked around frantically finalising the wedding arrangements.  Dresses were being sewed, hair braided and beaded, lamb stewed, chicken barbequed, tortillas baked and drum skins tightened.

Belize time
Platting of palm leaf arch…1 hour before “official” start time.

But by 4.30pm, spot on for Belize time, everything was ready, and down the aisle we walked to the beat of drums, shake of shakas, and the sound of Ray’s dad singing.

Walking down the aisle

Organising things here is as different as imaginable from the micro-managed, minute-by-minute “story-boarded” events that I used to be involved in when I worked in London.  But the amazing thing is, it always works out in the end, albeit to Belize time.

I have been a very busy bee recently, and for that reason, my next blog entry will be along right now….

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]]> https://www.warasadrumschool.com/ill-do-it-right-now/feed/ 1 79 He-He-Hey! Sucking Teeth & Pointing Lips https://www.warasadrumschool.com/he-he-hey-sucking-teeth-pointing-lips/ https://www.warasadrumschool.com/he-he-hey-sucking-teeth-pointing-lips/#respond Sat, 08 Oct 2011 22:19:48 +0000 http://blog.warasadrumschool.com/?p=42 I’ve lived in a few different countries in my life, and in each one, I have learned the specific cultural gestures and sounds that are used to communicate on a daily basis. In South Korea, people would make a “hol” honking like sound when surprised or shocked, and would beckon people with their arms held […]

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]]> I’ve lived in a few different countries in my life, and in each one, I have learned the specific cultural gestures and sounds that are used to communicate on a daily basis. In South Korea, people would make a “hol” honking like sound when surprised or shocked, and would beckon people with their arms held out full stretch, palms down, frantically flapping their fingers (doing it palm-up is highly insulting, as that is how you beckon a dog).

In Belize, Garifuna people have the Garifuna laugh, which phonetically goes something like “he-he-he-ey!” – the final “he-ey” being louder and higher pitched than the rest. They also have a habit of pointing at people with a slight upwards nod of the head and sticking out their lower lip. Sucking your teeth to make a squelchy kind of reversed hiss is the Belizean sound of annoyance or impatience. I try and think of what some typically Scottish non-verbal communications are, but I guess they are so deeply ingrained in me that I can’t identify them – feel free to enlighten me!

 

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]]> https://www.warasadrumschool.com/he-he-hey-sucking-teeth-pointing-lips/feed/ 0 42 Belizean Blue Crab Syndrome https://www.warasadrumschool.com/belizean-blue-crab-syndrome/ https://www.warasadrumschool.com/belizean-blue-crab-syndrome/#respond Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:59:36 +0000 http://blog.warasadrumschool.com/?p=33 I will most probably always be considered an outsider in Belize, but I think that is the case in almost any country you emigrate to where you stick out either due to your accent, skin colour, background or otherwise. And there are definitely many things that I still don’t know about or don’t understand about […]

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Coming out for the annual rain dance

I will most probably always be considered an outsider in Belize, but I think that is the case in almost any country you emigrate to where you stick out either due to your accent, skin colour, background or otherwise. And there are definitely many things that I still don’t know about or don’t understand about Belizean culture. One of them is something known as Blue Crab Syndrome.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Belizean wildlife, at the start of every rainy season, thousands of giant (up to 10 inches including claw span) blue crabs emerge from the mud of the jungle/ditch/back yard to do a celebratory rain dance before the rains dry and they go into hibernation again. Of course, many Belizeans like a good crab soup, and so crabs are often caught and stuck in a bucket ready for the stew pot.

Blue crabs ready for the stew pot

Not surprisingly, the crabs don’t care too much for buckets or stew pots, and try to climb out, but none of them make it, as they all step and stumble over each other and pull each other back down. I don’t know if it is due to colonialism’s divide & conquer phenomenon, or a side-effect of being such a small country, but sadly, it is all too common for Belizeans to hamper and sometimes actively sabotage their neighbours’ attempts to better themselves. Sometimes it even goes as far as burning down houses or businesses, but more commonly involves spreading malicious rumours and the like. Thankfully Ray is generally well liked in PG, so we haven’t suffered anything too detrimental as yet, but I am always disappointed when Belizean owned local businesses fail to support what we are trying to do. We haven’t asked anyone for money, just for a good word and general advice, but it’s not always as forthcoming as we’d like. Ironically, it is the expat-owned businesses that support the venture more. Of course there are many locals that totally support what we are trying to do, and I hope that continues and spreads so that Warasa isn’t another victim of Blue Crab Syndrome.

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]]> https://www.warasadrumschool.com/belizean-blue-crab-syndrome/feed/ 0 33 Even if she’s green, she’s still your auntie https://www.warasadrumschool.com/even-if-shes-green-shes-still-your-auntie/ https://www.warasadrumschool.com/even-if-shes-green-shes-still-your-auntie/#respond Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:22:17 +0000 http://blog.warasadrumschool.com/?p=25 A few months ago, Ray and I were at his uncle’s house watching (me) and helping (Ray) make a drum.  I was perched on the edge of another future drum.  Ray’s dad Mario was also there.  Everyone was taking a few minutes rest from the hot Belizean sun.  A little boy came running into the […]

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]]> A few months ago, Ray and I were at his uncle’s house watching (me) and helping (Ray) make a drum.  I was perched on the edge of another future drum.  Ray’s dad Mario was also there.  Everyone was taking a few minutes rest from the hot Belizean sun.  A little boy came running into the yard, and then stopped in his tracks when he saw me.  He looked at me suspiciously, then hovered in the corner for a minute or two.  He then plucked up some courage, and said

“Uncle, I wahn ask you somting”.

Ray responded “Well ask me den”.

“It’s a secret”.

“Well come tell me in my ear den”.  The little boy whispered in Ray’s ear.

Ray roared out “Who dat white gyal? She da me wife, she yo auntie, hear?!”.

The little boy looked mortified at having his secret question blurted out, but recovered, and then looked confused while he continued to look sidelong at me: “She cahn be my auntie”.

Ray: “Oh really?  Why cahn she be yo auntie?”.

“Cos she white”

At which point, Ray’s dad jumped in and said,

“Boy!  Even if she green, she still yo auntie, hear!”

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]]> https://www.warasadrumschool.com/even-if-shes-green-shes-still-your-auntie/feed/ 0 25