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Old
fishing boats on the riverbank |
Dangriga, the largest town in the Stann Creek District is
located 55 miles from Belmopan and 105 miles from Belize
City. Dangriga has a population of approximately 5,000 people.
It has one of the largest Garinagu communities in the world.
The town was originally called Stann Creek when it was a
small English trading station. Built in 1975, the name was
changed to Dangriga by the Garinagu majority.
Dangriga takes its name from the local Garifuna language,
meaning, “Here, the sweet water is close at hand”.
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Dangriga
Town |
It lies peacefully along the banks of the North Stann Creek
River, whose water is legendary and commonly known by residents
of the town as ‘gumaragaru water’. The town’s
drinking supply is refreshingly cool and arguably the best
tasting in Belize.
Dangriga is rich in art and culture and surrounded by numerous
natural attractions. Centrally located between the mountains
and the offshore cayes, the area is an excellent hub for
inland adventures and offshore islands. On Garifuna Settlement
Day, November 19, the celebration includes the reenactment
of the arrival of the Garinagu, followed by a mass in the
Garifuna language. During the Christmas season, the popular
John Kanu dance, or “wanaragua” is performed.
The dancers wear masks, which resemble the English face
with a pencil thin mustache, topped by a colorful handmade
hat. The dances incorporate martial arts movement and were
first performed to hone the skills of warrior slaves.
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Drums
Monument |
The Garinagu are also skilled artists. Primitivism dominates
their painting, with great elaboration of details, flat
colors, and unreal perspective. They are also noted for
their crafts. They use hefty logs and mahogany to make drums,
and hides from deer and cow for the drumheads. The rhythmic
beats of the Garifuna drums play a vital role in the culture’s
music, songs and dances. Locals and tourists alike gather
on special occasions to listen to the reverberating beats
of the drums. Garinagu children become masters of the drum
at very early ages. The drums are a symbol of pride for
the Garifuna Culture and the town of Dangriga on a whole.
It is said by the elders that the Garifuna drum lasts an
entire century. In honor of the drums, the ‘Drums
of our Fathers’ monument can be seen near the entrance
of town. The cultural ‘Punta’ dance popular
countrywide is performed to the beat of the drums.
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Local
Park |
Traditional Garifuna dishes are available at several restaurants
in town. The popular ‘Sere’ (coconut-based soup
with boiled ground vegetables and fish) and ‘Hudut’
(mashed green plantain) are indeed mouth-watering. Warm
Creole bread made from coconut milk and baked in the traditional
‘fire-hearth’ ovens can be found at local pastry
shops or from the vendors walking down Main Street. The
‘Cassava’ bread, also a fine delicacy can be
bought at the local vegetable market in the town’s
‘riverside’ area.
Places nearby: 
Interests:
