The Garifuna Experience Podcast

Episode 26 - Garifuna Settlement Day in Guatemala

• Jose Francisco Avila • Episode 27

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Join host José Francisco Ávila for an inspiring journey to the Caribbean coast of Guatemala as we celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day, observed every year on November 26th.

This episode honors the historic arrival of the Garifuna people and their enduring legacy in Livingston ("LaBuga"). We explore the profound cultural significance of this national holiday, including the vibrant Yurumein Ceremony, which re-enacts the landing with drums and traditional music on the beach.

We also celebrate the community's global impact, revisiting the UNESCO recognition of Garifuna language, dance, and music as a Masterpiece of Intangible Heritage.

Featured Heroes: Hear the stories of five extraordinary individuals—from champion athlete Teodoro Palacios Floresand community builder Pablo Roberto Mejía, to culture icon Doña Elvira Álvarez Castillo de Ciego, scholar Dr. Daisy Guzman Nunez, and non-profit leader Arnold Ciego—all driving Power, Prosperity and Progress for the Garifuna Nation.

Tune in and celebrate the resilience and future of the Garifuna people!

Resources:

Books by José Francisco Ávila

Soundtrack

HOST: Hello, and welcome to The Garifuna Experience Podcast. I'm your host, José Francisco Ávila.

Today, we journey to the beautiful Caribbean coast of Guatemala to celebrate a day of profound cultural significance: Garifuna Settlement Day.

Garifuna Settlement Day: A National Celebration

HOST: Garifuna Settlement Day is celebrated annually on November 26th in Guatemala. It is a day that commemorates the historic arrival of the Garifuna people to the country’s coast, an event that some records place in 1802.

This day is not just a local celebration; it is officially recognized by Guatemalan Decree Number 83-96. This decree established the celebration to commemorate the history of the Garifuna people, promote their culture, language, and traditions, and reaffirm their identity in Guatemala, actively supporting their development and forms of organization.

The Yurumein Ceremony

The main attraction of the celebration in Livingston is the Yurumein, a powerful performance that vividly represents the historic arrival of the Garifuna to Guatemala. The day begins in the morning with this performance on the beach—a dynamic display involving powerful drums, traditional music, and sacred offerings. Throughout the day, the community engages in artistic presentations, vibrant traditional dance, and of course, the communal tasting of typical Garifuna dishes.

The Garifuna Presence in Guatemala

HOST: Most of the Garifuna people in Guatemala reside in the picturesque coastal town of Livingston, known in the Garifuna language as “La Buga,” which means "mouth," referring to its location at the mouth of the Río Dulce. You’ll also find communities in the nearby port city of Puerto Barrios.

While the Garifuna community is a powerful force in maintaining its unique identity, it is a relatively small portion of Guatemala's overall population. According to the 2018 national census, the Garifuna population in Guatemala numbers about 19,529 people, representing approximately 0.13% of the total population.  

Yurumein Documentary | The Garifuna History of Resistance and Cultural Heritage in Guatemala

This Garifuna documentary titled Yurumein tells the story of the Garifuna people from their exile from St. Vincent to their arrival in Livingston, Guatemala.

Learn about the Garifuna culture, its music, its language, and its legacy.

Discover how the Garifuna of Guatemala came to the Caribbean islands, were expelled from St. Vincent, and managed to survive, adapt, and keep their identity alive. 

This documentary is a celebration of their culture, music, cuisine, and traditions — a story of resistance, pride, and hope that continues to inspire the world.

The Historic Arrival

HOST: The foundational settlement of La Buga was established by early pioneers. Historical accounts describe figures like Marcos Sánchez, who, with a group of men, fled the Honduran coast. They arrived at the mouth of the Río Dulce on a 500-ton brig with around 162 companions. There, they established the first houses, built with roofs made of the native manaca palm species, stretching along the beach.

Prominent Guatemalan Garifuna: Carrying the Torch

HOST: The progress and prosperity of the Guatemalan Garifuna people have been driven by extraordinary individuals. We want to take a moment to shine a light on five prominent figures from the Guatemalan community and the diaspora who have excelled in their fields and uplifted their people.

First, let's talk about the world of sport: Teodoro Palacios Flores (1939 – 2019). Born in Livingston, Teodoro began as a passionate soccer player but found his true calling in the track and field. His dedication led him to become a three-time Central American and Caribbean champion. In 1958, he won gold at the III Meeting of the Venado Club, and the following year, another gold at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Long Jump. What an incredible legacy of athletic excellence!

Next, we look at community development through the life of Pablo Roberto Mejía, or "Don Beto" as he was affectionately known. Don Beto was instrumental in the development of the Garifuna Community of Livingston, or LaBuga. His tenacity focused on economic empowerment: he spearheaded projects ranging from the construction of the main road and school renovations to training a generation of Garifuna men as electricians, painters, teachers, and tailors. In the 1960s, he fought to bring key educational and economic engines to the Izabal state, including the establishment of Guatemala's main technical school, the Technical and Productivity Institute – INTECAP, in Puerto Barrios. Don Beto truly embodied progress.

Finally, we celebrate a living icon of Garifuna culture, Doña Elvira Álvarez Castillo de Ciego. Born in Livingston in 1953, Doña Elvira is a true composer and singer-songwriter of traditional music, considered a true bearer and promoter of the culture. She shares that many of her compositions—over a dozen of which are used in traditional centers—have been revealed to her in a dream. Her voice is even featured in the song YURUMEIN (considered the Anthem of the Garifuna Nation)! Doña Elvira’s charisma and vast contributions have rightfully earned her national and international recognition as a Garifuna pride.

Now, let's look at the diaspora. We celebrate the academic achievements of Dr. Daisy Guzman Nunez. Dr. Nunez, a Garifuna American from the South Bronx, is an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies. Her work centers on the migratory experience of Garifuna-Guatemalan women from Livingston to the South Bronx, using a Black Feminist Ethnographic lens to bear witness to ancestral knowledge embedded in their cultural practices. Her research on Hemispheric Blackness and Black Indigenous Feminisms is advancing our understanding of the Garifuna identity on a global scale.

And finally, a salute to community organizer and entrepreneur, Arnold Ciego. Arnold is a Tax Preparer and owner of Bany Tax & Multiservice, Co-Pastor, and the dedicated President of the non-profit "Hijos de Livingston en NY" (Children of Livingston). This organization works tirelessly to improve the quality of life and preserve Garifuna culture in both New York and Guatemala through programs focused on entrepreneurship, education, art, and sports. Arnold also uses his YouTube channel, Conversando con Arnold Ciego, as a powerful platform to promote the contributions of the Garifuna people.

Outro

HOST: And that wraps up another illuminating episode of The Garifuna Experience Podcast. Today we celebrated Garifuna Settlement Day in Guatemala, which is celebrated on November 26th, honoring the arrival of the Garifuna people, the vibrancy of the Yurumein, and their incredible contributions to the nation.

Happy Garifuna Settlement Day Guatemala!

HOST: Thank you for listening and remember: The future of the Garifuna people is in our hands, and we are driving Power, Prosperity and Progress. Until next time, stay united, stay proud, Sungubei Lidan Aban Ayo! 

HOST: Find new episodes of The Garifuna Experience every Tuesday. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, and iHeartRadio or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

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Soundtrack

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José Francisco Ávila

Host