Afrolatinos: The untaught story

While the largest population of Garifuna people is found in Honduras, there is also a Garifuna presence in Guatemala. 

In 1804 garifuna leader Marcos Diaz founded Livingston, naming the town Labuga which in garifuna means (La Boca) or (the mouth).  The Garifuna, who are also known as the “Black Caribs” or the “Garinagu”, are the descendants of Carib Indians and Black African slaves who were shipwrecked on the island of St. Vincent. The garifuna culture is a perfect mixing of two cultures - - Caribbean and African.  The garifuna people established their own communities with a distinct culture and language, developing their own racial identity.

Something wonderful happens when you step foot on unfamiliar territory - - the universe provides you with situations and experiences that help you on your path and assist you with continuing the journey. When the team arrived to Guatemala they did not have any contacts and were exhausted from traveling four months straight – living under very difficult circumstances that were new experiences for them.

Once they landed in Livingston, they proceeded to locate a place to sleep.  They dropped off their luggage and decided to walk around town…they heard some music being played in the street and walked in its direction. They stopped just to listen and asked the group of young men if they could interview them – this was Eric and his crew. Eric, a practicing rasta, was kind enough to spend the entire day with the Afrolatinos team, he showed them the beach, took them through the neighborhoods, showing them how much the town has changed.  During the interview with Eric they discovered that he speaks four languages fluently explaining that helps him with tourists who visit.  He speaks Spanish, English, Patua and Garifuna.

The team was introduced to how they party in Livingston--garifuna style.  They held a jam session for the crew and were introduced to the origins of punta, which is traditional garifuna music.  They played drums, blowed into the sea shell and used the turtle shell – similar to the cowbell sound.

They found Livingston to only have a small garifuna culture mixed with a little bit Kingston, Jamaica… and in the distance the team could hear bachata music being played.  There is a high tourist presence in the town of Livingston.  The garifuna culture in Livingston seemed to be lost… it has been ripped from them with the arrival of tourism.  There is an urgent need to reclaim their roots.  This is a common theme and issue that is shared for the garifuna communities that have been visited.  There is a need to preserve their history, rich culture and language.   Livingston is a perfect example of what lies in the future for Masca (Honduras).  How can we preserve a culture that is barely visible, while benefiting from tourism?

The filming of Afrolatinos has taught the team how important people are. From the moment they began this project the universe has brought unexpected and welcome guides and aids to walk with them on this journey… this journey of telling their story.  They have met amazing people. While the visit to Livingston, Guatemala was short, what they were able to capture was beautiful.