Garifuna Profiles

Andy Palacio

Palacio was born and raised in the coastal village of Barranco and worked briefly as a teacher before turning to music. He sang mainly in Garifuna, an Arawakan language with a large number of words borrowed from Carib, French, and Spanish, but also composed English-only songs. He was the first musical artist from Belize to have a music video on international television. He received the award for “Best New Artist” at the Caribbean Music Awards in 1991, and was post-humously awarded the BBC3 Awards for World Music award in the Americas Category, in 2008.

Contributions to Belizean music and media

Palacio later served as a head of the National Institute of Culture and History and was named a cultural ambassador. He released over five original albums beginning with Nabi in 1990. He also traveled widely promoting and performing his music.

Palacio briefly hosted a television program on Channel 5 named after him and featuring works from Belizeans. He also wrote the theme music for Channel 5’s newscast.

On March 14, 2007, Palacio released his last studio album, Watina, which he considered his masterpiece. The album features guest appearances from other prominent Garifuna artists including Paul Nabor and is produced by Stonetree Records.

He also shared the 2007 WOMEX Award with his producer, Ivan Duran, of Stonetree Records.

Critical illness and death

On January 17, 2008, Palacio suddenly fell ill with two apparent “stroke-like seizures.” According to a press release from Stonetree Records he died in Belize at 21:00 hours on January 19 of “a massive and extensive stroke to the brain, a heart attack and respiratory failure.”

Fellow Belizean musician Oral Fuentes, a friend was reported as saying in response to his death “I am indeed very sad to hear the news of Andy passing. I’ve known Andy for years… as a fellow Belizean I feel the pain. Belize has indeed lost a Hero.

Paul Nabor

Paul Nabor is the greatest living Paranda artist. He is not only considered a musical legend among the Garifuna, he is also the “Buyei” (religious leader of his community). Sadly, he is also the last living Parandero in Punta Gorda. Punta Gorda (locals call it PG) is a small coastal village in southern Belize.

With mountains to the west, and the Caribbean sea to the east, there is only one dirt road to PG: A long bumpy 5 hour drive from the center of the country. At 70, Nabor still spends many of his days at sea fishing, evenings playing his guitar, all while working as spiritual leader for his community. He often talks about how life has changed for the Garifuna. “Growing up, we got all we needed from the earth. We fished, we farmed. We picked coconuts, made our own instruments. Occasionally we’d trade for new clothes. That was it. After the introduction of ‘money’ things changed. People now feel that they need ‘more and more stuff, things’. More and more Garifuna keep moving to the cities where they are unhappy since they’ve lost touch with the land.”

Paul Nabor is no longer in good health, though he continues to work a full schedule of fishing, playing guitar, and leading his congregation. Nabor wrote the moving, “Naguya Nei” when his sister was on her deathbed. She had asked to be remembered in song at her funeral. The song has become almost an anthem in Punta Gorda. Nabor has expressed that he would like the funeral procession to sing this song at his burial as well.

Pen Cayetano

Pen CayetanoPen Cayetano was born 1954 in Dangriga in the southern part of Belize – former British Honduras. He is a self-taught painter & musician. As early as in Primary school he showed interest in art & music. Growing up he studied the culture of the Garifuna and the Creole.

He was painting and doing music at Pen’s Art Studio at 5 Moho Road in Dangriga, until he moved in 1987 in his new Studio at 74 St. Vincentstreet. His favourite medium is oil on canvas.
Cayetano met and studied with fellow artist Benjamin Nicholas and Master Drummer Isabel Flores both Garifuna. They did several exhibitions and musical shows together.

In 1981 Pen Cayetano created the Punta Rock which is a combination of cultural Garifuna music with elements of the modern Rock music. Together with his musical group ” The Turtle Shell Band” he performed all over Belize and in Mexico, Honduras , Guatemala and the USA . Nowadays the Punta Rock is Belize’s number one music and performed by different bands.

As an Ambassador of Art & Music Pen Cayetano did also many exhibitions in the USA and finally in 1990 he moved his studio to Ahrhutstraße 8 in Ahrweiler , Germany , where he lives with his family.
In Germany he became a member of the ARE – Gilde, a forty year art league. He is also a member of the GEMA and Bildkunst. Cayetano continues to portray the Garifuna culture and paints also landscape of his new adopted home in Germany. His paintings were shown in several exhibitions in Germany, Hong Kong, Austria, Switzerland, England and the USA. At least once a year he travels to Belize to present his new Art & Music.

Joseph Chatoyer

In 1795, with the country under the governership of James Seton, the Caribs began the two years of attack known as the Second Carib War. With the aid of French rebels from Martinique, the Caribs plotted the removal of the British. Chatoyer and
DuValle (the two main Carib chiefs) planned that Chatoyer would lead the rebellion on the Leeward side and DuValle would lead on the Windward side. News came to Kingstown on March 8th thatwar had broken out.

Chatoyer directed his fury at the settlers themselves rather than destroying their property. His belief was that the land would be extremely useful to the Caribs after  the removal of the British. He worked his way along the Leeward, joined in battle
by the French at Chateaublair, to unite with DuValle at Dorsetshire Hill. The amalgamated forces then set their sights on Kingstown. A battalion of British soldiers from recently arrived warships marched towards Dorsetshire Hill on March 14th. On this night, Chatoyerwas killed by Major Alexander Leith. Considered a hero to the nation, a monument in Chatoyer’s honour
is placed at Dorsetshire Hill. Battles raged throughout St. Vincent overthe nextyear with both sides bearing heavy losses. The final battle took place at Vigie on June 10th, 1796. After a night of arduous fighting the Caribs approach the British with a
truce flag.

Submission terms were negotiatead and during the next four months over 5,000 Caribs surrendered. The Caribs were exiled to the neighbouring island of Balliceaux and in February 1797, the defeated Caribs were loaded onto a convoy of eight
vessels and transported to the coast of Honduras. The few remaining Caribs scattered to the north of the island nearSandy Bay where their descendants can still be found.

The most recent development in this quest for reclaiming identity and reconstructing their history took place on March 14, 2002 when the Great Carib (Garifuna) Chief, Chatoyer, was declared first National Hero of St. Vincent and the
Grenadines, and the day made a national holiday. Chatoyer, who is also revered bythe Garifuna people in Central America, was Paramount Chief at a very critical period in the struggle to retain the independence of St. Vincent and to preserve the
lands on which his people lived. He died in 1795 during the battle that led to the final defeat of the Caribs. The recognition of the importance of the Carib Chief to the life and struggles of his people has long been recognized. The British have
established a monument in a prominent place in the Anglican Cathedral to their Major Leith who, it was alleged, had killed Chatoyer in a duel. The account of his death given by the British has been disputed, and is believed to have been part of
efforts at psychological warfare

Chatoyer was also immortalized in a play, the “Drama of King Shotaway” , that was performed in NewYork in 1823, twenty-eight years after his death. The play was written by Mr. Browne, whose first name is unknown. It is believed that he was a Garifuna member who had experienced the battle of 1795 in which Chatoyer was killed. Mr. Browne is regarded as the Father of BlackTheatre in the United States of America and this play is said to be the first about a black person.

The recognition given on March 14 to this leading figure in the history of the Garifuna/Black Carib people will undoubtedly focus attention on his and his people’s contribution to the history of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. They had held the might of Europe at bay for centuries, St. Vincent being among the last of the Caribbean countries to be colonized. It will also contribute to restoring the confidence and reconstructing the identity of a people who had been victims of a colonial past and who have had over the years to face the accusation of being cannibals that had been widely propagated in colonial history.

The Black Carib/Garifuna population in St. Vincentthat remained following the exile, had for long lived on the margin of society, many of them in communities that had been devastated by volcanic eruptions in 1812 and 1902 and had, to all intents and
purposes, been cut off from mainstream Vincentian life. A lot has changed over the years, a result of political developments and the growing consciousness of the people. The reconnection of the people, among other things, will help in the
reclaiming of their history, identity and pride; and in reconstructing and restoring their central place in the eady history and development of St. Vincent, or Yuremi as it is known in Garifuna language

The history, artifacts and other symbols of the Black Caribs (Garifuna people) are essential parts of the history and culture of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Many of the forts and places where the different encounters took place, remain and tell their
own story, among them the cannons at Fort Charlotte that point inland. Beside the information they provide to the Vincentian people, they also add to the rich heritage and cultural-tourism infrastructure. Sections of the Central American Garifuna
community are developing a case for reparations and are seeking ‘symbolic’ citizenship of this country. The story of the Garifuna people is a unique one that needs to be told, since among other things, it is pivotal to understanding their
position in Central America and also the history of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and indeed the rest of the Caribbean region in which St. Vincent was one of the last outposts of Carib resistance.

Greg Palacio

Greg PalacioUlmar “GREG” Palacio has a brush with purpose. Born in Belize, Central America, on November 17, 1962, and raised in Dangriga, Bze., he is the fourth of nine children to Rita and Clifford Palacio. “Greg P,” as he was referred to from youth, always showed interest in art. At an early age, while attending Sacred Heart School, he was chosen to go from classroom to classroom to draw colorful Christmas themes on blackboards.

When Ulmar migrated to the United States and attended Loren Miller Elementary School in Los Angeles, California, his artistic ability was recognized by his 6th grade teacher and was nutured ever since.
Greg’s paintings are visually vibrant. Working in various mediums, he incorporates the spirituality and rhythms of his indigenous Garifuna heritage, which is truly sensational.

In 1990, Palacio entered a North, Central, and South American art contest held in Hollywood, California. His painting depicting a ceremonial dance from his culture called “DÜGÜ” took first place. That tremendous acknowledgement ignited his career. Although this early success didn’t have major curators or art collectors knocking at his door, the little money Greg received has been well invested. Presently, Ulmar does commission work when time permits. Since 1992, he has done several art shows throughout the U.S. and in Belize.

In addition, G.P. is a member of a local culture band, named “Libaya Baba.” He is also active in the production of Belizean music. Greg has designed and painted album covers for musicians such as: Ugrou’s “Wagiya Ya,” Cross Culture’s “Wata Hole,” Pupa Curly’s “Sweet Belizean Girl,” legendary Mohobub Flores’ “Roots & Culture,” the remake by pioneer Bill Cayetano’s “Reggae Nuwani,” and a new Paranda album by newcomer Len Cayetano, just to mention a few.