The Garifuna people of Belize are a people descended from a mixture of African slaves imported into the Caribbean and indigenous people of the Caribbean Islands. This unique blending of two different populations has given the Garifuna a truly unique culture. 

On one hand, the Garifuna have retained many influences from their African heritage, including their language and musical traditions. Likewise, their heritage inherited from the indigenous populations of the Caribbean play an important role in modern Garifuna culture.

The government of Belize has embraced the enormous cultural contributions of the Garifuna to music, food, and the arts. There is now a national holiday (November 19th) that celebrates the arrival of the Garifuna.

The Garifuna have successfully managed to preserve most of their traditional culture, officially recognized as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations in 2001.

The Garifuna contributions to education, culinary arts, music, language, and dance continue to demonstrate the resilience of the Garifuna, a proud people with the skills and resolve to face every challenge with strength of conviction and artful expression.

On this tour, you will learn more about Garifuna music, food and arts.