Tuesday 15 October 2013

Belize: Celebrating Garifuna’s culture




Belize is rich with culture! This small Caribbean country is not only blessed with natural beauty but also with vibrant, colorful, authentic cultures. Each year in the month of November, Belize celebrates Garifuna’s culture, history, and pride.

Garifuna Settlement Day, is a national public and bank holiday in Belize founded by the known Belizean social activist, Thomas Vincent Ramos. Thomas Ramos established November 19 as Garifuna Settlement Day to commemorate the culture and history of the Garifuna.


The Garifuna or Garinagu, as the people are properly called, are descendant of Carib Indians and West Africans. They sought new homes on the Caribbean Islands and they were taken in by Carib Indians who had settled on a number of Caribbean Islands, eventually concentrating on St Vincent Island.

The Garinagu arrived in Belize in the early 19th century and settled on the Southern coast of Belize. Today, most Garinagu reside in the southern part of the country, including Dangriga, Hopkins, Seine Bight, Punta Gorda, and Barranco.

This year the celebration begins with the traditional Miss Garifuna Pageant scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 25 in Belize City. The pageant will be filled with cultural activities depicting the dance, music, and food of the Garinagu. On November 13, the memory Thomas Vincent Ramos will be observed with a torch light parade.

The Garinagu’s traditional clothing is made of bright colorful checkered material, often containing the traditional colors yellow, black, and white. On Garifuna Settlement Day many Garinagu women can be seen wearing their traditional dresses along with colored headpieces in celebration of their culture. The Garifuna flag is often flown on this day with reverence and pride. The flag consists of three horizontal strips of black white and yellow.

The main event that takes place each year is the early morning re-enactment of the arrival of the Garinagu’s to the southern coast of Belize in dugout canoes. A traditional catholic mass follows immediately after the re-enactment. The mass is certainly a celebration of the Garifuna culture! The priest celebrates the mass in the Garifuna language, the choir sings alongside the rhythm of the Garifuna drums, and everyone in the community attends wearing their traditional dresses.

All the activities and events leading up to Garifuna Settlement Day depict the Garinagu’s traditional culture. The events are vivacious, colorful, and historical!

The Garifuna culture is known for its delicious traditional dishes. The most popular dishes are the cassava bread, and the Hudut. Our favorite is the Hudut, it is a creamy fish soup made with coconut milk, often served with mashed plantain. 

If you have never experienced the Garifuna culture you must visit Belize in November.  The sound of the Garifuna drum is rhythmical and will have you dancing the fun, traditional punta dance. 

Immerse in our culture and book your next Belize dream vacation with us. Contact Patricia Ramirez at patricia@splashbelize.com or visit our webpage at www.splashbelize.com for more information.

Saturday 5 October 2013

Belize: Safe, Fun and Budget Friendly


Have you ever wanted to travel to a tropical paradise but had so many questions about the destination you are heading to?

Let Splash Dive Center, take care of you! Splash Dive Center is located in beautiful southern Belize: Placencia.

Placencia is known to be the most laid-back, tranquil environment in Belize, located just a short boat ride away from many of Belize’s well-known marine reserves such as: Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes, South Water Caye, Glovers Reef, Turneffe Atoll and Belize’s Barrier Reef.


Visit Splash Dive Center and meet with Patty, co-owner of Splash Dive Center, the most genuine and friendly person you can meet. Splash will become your home away from home.

Safety is Splash Dive Center’s #1 goal, a PADI resort facility, encompassing the most experienced and qualified staff in the region. Continue your diving education or learn to dive with a very professional Instructor. Sign up for some of the tours and package deals offered,  led by dive masters who are licensed tour guides who are both knowledgeable and make it fun.

A few of Splash Dive Center’s most famous ‘Big 6’ special dive packages include:

·       The GrandSlam

The ‘Big 6’ encompasses the very best of Belize’s underwater world, experience Belize!

Mix it up! Splash Dive Center also offers a range of inland tours, including but not limited to:

·      Monkey River Excursion
·      Cave Expeditions: ATM, Barton Creek

Concern about accommodation?
Accommodation in Placencia ranges from budget, mid-range, to high-end. A short list can be found below:
·      Budget
o   Sea Glass Inn - Placencia
·      Mid-range
o   Sea View Suites
o   Miramar Apartments
·      High-end
o   Laru Beya

We had the opportunity to dive with Splash Dive Center and can still remember the details of my vacation in Placencia, Belize. In simple words: it is more than a dive center: ‘it is home away from home’.

For more information on vacation packages visit www.splashbelize.com.

Start planning your stay by contacting Patty at patricia@splashbelize.com