The Garifuna Experience Podcast

Episode 18 - Garifuna Literary Arts

Jose Francisco Avila Episode 18

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Host José Francisco Ávila dives deep into the power and necessity of Garifuna Literary Arts. For a people whose history was often deliberately erased from official records, the written word is not just culture—it's reclamation.

This episode explores why Garifuna authors must write, moving beyond the centuries-old oral tradition to create a permanent, authentic record. We highlight the pioneers—like Catarino Castro Serrano and Thomas Vincent Ramos—who first took up the pen to challenge dominant narratives.

Discover how literature serves as a crucial tool for cultural maintenance, healing, and historical correction, providing an authentic Garifuna voice to the world. José shares his personal advocacy journey and issues a powerful call to action to the NYC diaspora community: Write the next chapter of our history.

Featured Topics:

  •  The historical erasure of Garifuna and Afro-Latino history.
  • The role of literature in reclaiming and preserving Garifuna language and culture.
  • Pioneering Garifuna authors and intellectuals.
  •  The importance of the written word for community healing and activism.

  Resources:

 Books by José Francisco Ávila