Yurumein: The Arrival of the Garinagu to Belize

Blog » Around Belize » Yurumein: The Arrival of the Garinagu to Belize
Tags: Garifuna Settlement DayGarinaguNovember 19thThe arrivalYurumein

The 19th of November is Garifuna Settlement Day, a national holiday declared in 1941.  This festive holiday honors the arrival of the Garinagu to Belizean shores in 1802 and settlement in 1823. Each year a re-enactment of this monumental event called the Yurumein, which means ‘homeland’, takes place in Garifuna villages and towns throughout the country such as Hopkins, Dangriga, Seine Bight and Punta Gorda.  It celebrates the Garinagu journey from their origins in St. Vincent to Roatan, Honduras and ultimately Belize. 

Learn more about the history of Garifuna Settlement Day and the Yurumein re-enactment. 

History

The Yurumein is a re-enactment of the journey taken by the Garinagu across the Bay of Honduras.

After unrest on the island of St. Vincent, the Garinagu origin place, and the assassination of their Chief Joseph Chatoyer in 1795, over 4,300 Garinagu were imprisoned on the island of Balliceaux and the Grenadines. Approximately 2,248 survivors were exiled to Roatan, Honduras.  From there the resilient Garifuna people migrated to mainland Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Belize. Records date the Garinagu presence in Belize as early as 1802.  In 1823, Alejo Beni received an agreement from the British authorities to allow Garinagu families to settle south of the Sibun River, which is now the Stann Creek and Toledo district.  In 1832, another large group of Garinagu arrived in Belize to settle. Many modern day communities such as  Hopkins, Dangriga, Barranco, Punta Gorda, Seine Bight, and Georgetown trace their origins to the arrival of their ancestors during this time between 1802-1832.

In 1941, Garifuna Settlement Day was first celebrated in Dangriga town under the name Carib Disembarkment Day. Finally, in 1977 it became a national holiday and the name was officially changed to Garifuna Settlement Day.

What to Expect

A crowd gathering on the village dock and beach to observe and participate.

The Yurumein is an early morning re-enactment of the landing of the Garinagu to the shores of Belize in 1802. On the November 19th, boats (traditionally dugout dories) are decorated with plants such as cassava, plantain, palms & vines and take to the sea to perform the re-enactment. Each year, aboard the boats will be community members representing their brave ancestors including an ‘old man’, ‘old woman’, and a ‘pregnant woman’. 

A boat approaches the shore line 2 times, seeking approval to settle before officially landing on the beach for the third time. 

From the beach, where onlookers gather, singing & drumming can be heard as the proud black, white, and yellow colors of the Garifuna flag are visible from the boats and along the shore.

Drumming, song and chants are heard throughout the village as the  procession proceeds to the church.

During the re-enactment, Garifuna settlers chant songs that reflect the harsh conditions the Garifuna people endured as they crossed the bay of Honduras. As you watch Yurumein, observe as one of the boats land on the shoreline and the leader seeks the authority’s permission for all to settle.  They are turned away 2 times before finally being granted permission to land on the shores of Belize on the third time. As the boats officially land on the beach, celebrations begin with joyous music, dance and a procession to the church where participants partake in a Mass of Thanksgiving.  The celebration continues with spending the day among family and friends partaking of traditional food, drink and general merriment!

Hamanasi Staff join in the Garifuna Settlement Day celebrations! 

Throughout the year you can immerse yourself in the Garifuna culture in Hopkins. However, November is a truly special time to visit and observe the traditions and history of Garinagu, highlighting cultural pride and resilience as an indigenous population. Garifuna Settlement Day is not just on the 19th of November,  but a month-long celebration of Garifuna culture.  We hope you will come experience it!