Barranco Garifuna Village

Barranco is the southernmost village of Belize, and home to around 150 mostly Garifuna residents. The Garifuna people, or Garinagu (Garifuna refers to the language, Garinagu to the people), are descendents of shipwrecked African slaves who escaped to St. Vincent island in 1635 and the Carib Indians who already lived there. After the British displaced them from St. Vincent in 1773, Garinagu communities spread to Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize, formerly British Honduras.

The Garinagu people of Barranco still practice many of their cultural traditions and community guides offer informative tours through the village. Visit the Spirit House and learn about the Garifuna religion - a combination of Catholicism, African, and Carib beliefs which incorporates the practice of ancestor worship. Stop by the cassava bakery and see how this root vegetable is processed into a staple food - cassava bread. Displays in the Cultural Center will introduce you to traditional crafts, dress, and language.Your tour might include samples of traditional food like hudut - a fish and plantain dish.

Traditional Garifuna music draws on African influences, utilizing drums and strong rhythms. You may have the opportunity to see a drum and dance performance while at Barranco. The modern day ‘punta rock’ is a derivation of Garifuna music, and can be heard widely around Belize.The late Andy Palacio, recipient of the 2007 WOMEX World Music Award, grew up in Barranco and has performed Garifuna and punta music all over the world.

Near Barranco Village is the Temash Sarstoon Wildlife Sanctuary, consisting of 41,000 acres between the Temash and Sarstoon rivers. The sanctuary is home to red mangroves, jaguars, tapirs, manatees, monkeys, and beautiful birdlife. Community leaders from Barranco are involved in SATIIM, the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management, which co-manages the sanctuary along with the Belizean government.