Garifuna Settlement Day 2025
Date: November 19, 2025 (Wednesday)
Country: Belize Public Holidays
Description
Garifuna Settlement Day is a public holiday in Belize that honors the arrival and history of the Garifuna people. It recognizes their roots, language, music, and role in Belizean society.
The holiday takes place every year on November 19. This date marks the anniversary of the Garifuna settling along the Belize coast after forced displacement from their original islands.
The day means remembering survival and cultural strength. It honors ancestors who kept Garifuna identity alive despite hardship and displacement. It also highlights the communitys ongoing contributions to Belize.
Garifuna Settlement Day is significant for the whole country. It reminds Belizeans that the nation is made of many peoples and traditions. The holiday helps promote respect, unity, and national pride.
Traditions
Streets fill with drummers, singers, and dancers in colorful clothes. People march in parades, perform the fast punta dance, and clap along. Bands play rhythmic music on drums and maracas for everyone to join.
Families and community groups wear traditional dress and paint faces for performances. Storytellers and elders lead songs in the Garifuna language. Children learn the dances and call and response singing during rehearsals and shows.
Food is cooked and shared at home and in the streets. Plates often include hudut, cassava bread, fried fish, plantains, and coconut sauces. Neighbors bring dishes to share in big community meals.
Rituals include church services, blessings, and moments to remember ancestors. People visit family plots, offer flowers and prayers, and hold small ceremonies that mix Christian and Garifuna customs.
Travel Tips
Many shops, banks, and government offices close or open late. Expect parades and public events in coastal towns that make roads busy. Book transfers and buses early. Carry cash because some places may not take cards.
Go early to parades to find a safe viewing spot. Keep water, sun protection, and your belongings secure in crowds. Follow local police and event staff instructions. Wear comfortable shoes and be ready for delayed travel when leaving main event areas.