Garifuna delegation makes pilgrimage to ancestral homeland

The visiting Garifuna Coalition USA has been organizing this trip to St. Vincent and the Grenadines since 2003. So it came as no surprise that the wreath-laying ceremony in honour of Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer went full steam ahead, despite torrential rain and descending fog, at the Obelisk at Dorsetshire Hill on Monday, July 20th.{{more}}

José Francisco Avila, Executive Director of the Garifuna Coalition USA, explained the significance of their pilgrimage. Following Chatoyer’s death on March 14, 1795, 5,000 Garifuna people were interned on Balliceaux to await exile to Roatán Island (off the coast of Honduras). During that time, their numbers dwindled to 2,500 due to starvation and disease. Upon being transported to Roatán Island, the Garifuna began a “period of wandering” and eventually established settlements in Central American countries such as Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Belize. “After 200 years of being exiled from our land, this is the first time that we have returned!” Avila declared. “The Garifuna nation is coming together!”

Avila further shared that this visit serves to fulfill the organisation’s commitment to keep the Garifuna culture alive. He expressed a deep gratitude to the Government and Vincentians for helping to make the trip a reality. “This is the first time that a contingent has independently come to St. Vincent, and that is why it’s so significant for us to be here.”

Other persons of Garifuna descent have made several visits to St. Vincent in the past.

In brief remarks, Ambassador Ellsworth John, Head of the Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit, pointed out how important it is for Vincentians to recognize the people who originally inhabited the island. “This is a very important and significant event for us – especially in this year as we reflect on our heritage… as we approach our 30th anniversary as an independent nation.”

It was a short but meaningful ceremony for the delegation as they sang lustily in Garifuna language and laid down wreaths of remembrance – visibly proud of their ancestors who will forever be remembered for being the last of the indigenous peoples in the Caribbean to resist European colonization.

On Sunday, July 19th, the delegation took part in a Thanksgiving Mass at the Roman Catholic Church, and then journeyed to the Leeward side of the island, with special attention paid to Rose Bank. On Monday, July 20, they also visited a Garifuna settlement in Greiggs and hosted a Homecoming discussion at the Peace Memorial Hall.

On Tuesday, July 21, there was supposed to be a pilgrimage to Balliceaux, but this trip had to be cancelled because of bad weather. On Wednesday, July 22 – a journey to Garifuna settlements on the Windward side.

The delegation members, who hail from Honduras and Guatemala, arrived in state on Saturday, July 18, and departed on Thursday, July 23.(JSV)