MORE GARIFUNA FACTS:
1.Did you know thatHistorians in Saint Vincent and The Grenadinesbelieve that the Africans from the Mali Empirehad arrived on the island around 1200 A.D.,prior to the infamous shipwrecksof 1635 and 1675.Therefore, the Garinagu race had already existed by the time Columbusreachedthe Americasand the shipwrecks just added to the indigenouspopulation
Monument dedicated to Joseph Chatoyer (Chatuye) in St. Vincent & The Grenadines
2. Did you know that Chief Joseph Chatuye was named the First National Hero of St. Vincent & The Grenadineson March 14, 2002 which is the highest honor of achievement attainable of that state. Cheif Chatuye led the battle against theBritish for 32 years until his death on March 14, 1795. In total , the indigenous people inDominica and St. Vincentkept the Europeans at bay for over 150 years.
3. Did you know cassava (ereba) contains vitamin B-17 which helps to protect against diseases like malaria and sickle cell anemia and also it is a natural steroid.The cassava is the staple food of the Garifuna people. The word Garinagu means "cassava eating people."
4. Did you know that the Vincentians make an annual pilgrimage to the island of Beliceaux to pay homage to the Garifuna people who were imprisoned on that island where half of the population died of Yellow Fever, other diseases and starvation.
5. Did you know that the first African American play written in 1823 was called "Drama of King Shotaway". And it is believed to have been written by William Alexander Brown who theater-historians believed was a Garifuna man from St. Vincent.
Chief Joseph Chatoyer
6. Did you know that Chief Joseph Chatuye, was a General in the army of France. The official tittle he held was General Chatuye, chief of a free nation and chief of the caribs of St. Vincent.
7. Did you know that British separated the Garinagu firstby the color of their skinin St. Vincentbefore they were exiled on March 11, 1797.The light skinned caribs (garinagu) remained in St. Vincent, but the darker skinned caribs were the ones that were exiled to Central America. The caribs in Dominica were allowed to remain, they were never forced to leave their homeland. Also, the French that were sympathetic towards the Garifuna and who fought with them against the British, were shipped off to Canada.
8. Did you know that the Garifuna peopleare one of the fewAfrican-Native descendentsin the Americas to conserve their native culture and language. The Garifuna people were never enslaved , they fought to maintain their freedom and help escaped slaves throughout the Caribbean.
9. Do you know the many names that Garinagu are referred by: Kalipuna in Dominica, Maroons in Jamaica,Ameri-indians and Black Caribs throughout the West Indies.
10. Did you know that the Catholic church once upon a time did not allow the Garifuna people to beat their drums inside the church. Also,majority of the Garifuna people from Central Americaare Catholic.
11. Did you know thatMarch 11,2006 will mark the 209th anniversary of the Garifuna exhile from Yurumein.
12. Did you know that Marcos Sanchez Diaz, a Garifuna leader, led a group of Garifuna to Livingston, Izabal Guatemala and settled there on May 15,1802. Traditionally La Bugana celebrated May 15 San Isidro Labrador day as their arrival butnow celebrates the Settlement Day on the 26th day of November.
13. Did you know that Elejo Benni, a Garifuna leader, led the settlement in 1832 to Dangriga, Belize which celebrates their settleement on the 19th of November.
14. The meaning of the colors of the Garifuna flag: Yellow is for hope and liberation. White is for peace and freedom. Black is for Africa, death and suffering. This is a combination of 2 different definitions given by Garinagu from Honduras and Belize.
15. The meaning of the colors of the Saint Vincent & The Grenadinesflag (Yurumein): Blue is for the Caribbean Sea. The green diamonds in the shape of the “V” is for Saint Vincent and the plural nature of the many islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Gold for the warmth and bright spirit of the people. Green is for the lush vegetation and the enduring vitality of the people.
16. A small group of Garinagu woodcutters lived in Punta Gorda, Belize as early as 1802 according to records.
17. One of Joseph Chatuye’s wives was a courageous woman by the name of BARUDA.
18. Did you know that Garifuna people speakan Arawak based language like theTainos of Boriken (Puerto Rico). Also, the Garifuna men speak the Carib language similar to that of the Caribs from Dominica.TheGarinagu, Tainos and Caribs are cousins, who not onlyshare language but alsohistory ,food and many beliefs.
19. Did you know the Garifuna people were charged with high treason against the BritishCrown for fightingto maintaintheir homeland. The Garinagu who remained inSt. Vincent were pardoned in 1805 but theGarifuna people that were exhiled were never pardoned.The Garinagu lost all claims to the lands that they once occupied.
20. In May 2001, the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization,proclaimed the Garifuna language,music and dance A Masterperpiece of Oraland Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
21. The locals in Saint Vincent call the island “Hairoun” which means Land of the Bless.
22. The Los Angeles City Council declaredApril 12, 2003"Garifuna Day" in the City of Los Angeles. November19th is the "Garifuna Day" inNew YorkCitywhich was signed and recognized by former MayorDavid N. Dinkins in 1991.
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