THEME: “ THE GARIFUNA HERITAGE AND CULTURE AS A REFLECTION OF THE CARIBBEAN INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCE
BACKGROUND:
The Garifuna Heritage Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. TGHF was formed in 2001 with the aim of promoting the culture and heritage of the Garifuna people. The following have been some of our major achievements to date:
-In collaboration with UNESCO, in 2002 TGHF organized and implemented a Regional conference on Indigenous Craft and Culture which drew participants from Guyana, Dominica, Belize and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
- 2001 -2005 we also developed the cultural talents of the youth by organizing annual talent searches, Garifuna Dance training, Garifuna language training, Summer Camps and Poetry and Art Competitions focusing on the Garifuna Heritage and Culture.
- 2006 we conducted several training sessions for teachers from St. Vincent and the Grenadines with a view to identifying their needs in relation to the teaching of Garifuna History and Culture.
- 2009 We hosted the first Regional Symposium under the Theme: “Forging Connections, Re-Envisioning Futures: Re-Framing The Experiences of Caribbean Indigenous Peoples.”
- 2012 First International Garifuna Conference
- 2014 First National Garifuna Conference
- 2015 First International Garifuna Summit
EVENTS TO BE HELD
The Garifuna Heritage Foundation (TGHF) will host the 4th international Garifuna Festival. As usual we will be encouraging as many Vincentians particularly those from indigenous communities to participate in all the events and to interact with visitors who travel to our shores as part of these activities.
The Festival will run from March 8th – 12th 2016, the following activities will be organized as part of this International Festival.
March 9th, 2016
International Garifuna Symposium
We will be hosting a Symposium under the theme: The Garifuna Heritage And Culture As A Reflection Of The Caribbean Indigenous Experience” The Garifuna Symposium is schedule to be held on at Peace Memorial Hall commencing at 9:00 am. Regional speakers will be presenting at this forum as we prepare for the International Garifuna Conference 2017. The keynote address will be delivered by Mr. Rawle Gibbons, Director, Playwright and Lecturer, Head and senior lecturer at the Centre for Creative and Festival Arts, UWI, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad.
OBJECTIVES OF SYMPOSIUM:
To contribute to the broader public formal and informal education process in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in relation to the importance of the relationship between Indigenous cultural issues and national development.
- To commence the process of developing a Plan of Action for the hosting of the 4th International Garifuna Conference in 2017.
- To identify individuals and organizations who can support and advise the Garifuna Heritage Foundation in its long term goal of establishing the International Garifuna Research Centre.
Wednesday, March 9th – Saturday, March 12th, 2016
Garifuna Village – A traditional Garifuna Village will be established on the ground of the Carnegie Building (Old Public Library). This will serve as an Exhibition site for hosting educational booths, display of cultural items & other cultural activities including cultural performances. We will construct huts using indigenous materials (e.g. bamboo, roseaux, thatch). These huts will be placed around the designated space.
Heritage Square: Tents will also be erected on the Heritage square where in collaboration with the Handy Craft Unit of the Adult and Continuing Education Department within the Ministry of Education, craft work by local Artisans will be on display and available for sale.
- 2nd National Schools Garifuna Cultural Folk Festival
As part of our International Garifuna Festival we will be hosting our 2nd National Schools Garifuna Cultural Folk Festival on Friday, March 11th, 2016 commencing at 9 am. This event will be held under the broad theme: “Know Your History”. A cultural package will be presented at the Victoria Park showcasing presentations by primary and secondary school students displaying all aspects of the Garifuna culture (dance, choral speaking, drama, poetry, and music) interpreting the theme: Children of Chatoyer, Fruits of Our Heritage”. This event is being held in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Tourism Sports and Culture.
