1. What does Garifuna-American Heritage Month Celebrate?
Garifuna Heritage Month celebrates and honors the history, culture, and contributions of the Garifuna people.
2. When is Garifuna-American Heritage Month Celebrated?
Garifuna Heritage Month is celebrated from March 11th to April 12th.
Garifuna-American Heritage Month was first celebrated by proclamation of Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión, Jr, on March 11, 2009, by request of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc., as an integral part of its efforts to raise awareness about the Garifuna Community in New York City and promote the self-determination and unification of the New York Garifuna community through grassroots organizing and community building.
Each year since 2010, New York Governors David A. Paterson, Andrew M. Cuomo, and Kathy Hochul have issued a proclamation declaring March 11, to April 12, as Garifuna-American Heritage Month in the State of New York.
3. Why does Garifuna-American Heritage Month begin on March 11?
Like National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15), Garifuna Heritage Month starts mid-month because its timing coincides with important and historical dates to the Garifuna Diaspora.
It is in observance of the anniversary of the forcible displacement of the Garifuna People from their Ancestral Homeland St Vincent “Yurumein” (presently known as St. Vincent and the Grenadines) by the British, on March 11th, 1797, and their settlement in Central America on April 12th , 1797.
4. Why Is the Date of Garifuna-American Heritage Month Important?
March 11th: A Pivotal Date in Garifuna History. On this day in 1797, 2,248 Garifuna ancestors were forcibly deported aboard 10 British ships from St. Vincent. The ensuing 33-day voyage across the Caribbean resulted in the deaths of 222 individuals. This event remains a solemn reminder of the Garifuna people's resilience. Never Forgot!
March 14th marks the anniversary of the death of Right Excellent Joseph Chatoyer, Paramount Garifuna Chief, a pivotal leader in the Garifuna resistance against British colonial forces in St. Vincent (March 14th, 1795).
March 25th marks the anniversary of the tragic Happy Land Social Club fire, on March 25th, 1990, an act of arson that became the deadliest fire in New York City since the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, which also occurred on March 25th, in 1911. Most of the victims were of Garifuna descent.
April 11th On this day, we honor the memory of Céleo Alvarez Casildo (1959-2016), a courageous Garifuna leader and human rights activist from Honduras.
April 12th Garifuna Heritage Month reaches its conclusion on April 12th, a date that holds profound historical significance. It marks the anniversary of the Garifuna people's arrival and settlement in Central America, when 2,026 Garifuna ancestors disembarked from British ships on the island of Roatan, Honduras, in 1797.
5. How to Celebrate Garifuna-American Heritage Month?
Through many events and activities throughout the month, such as seminars, a Garifuna Gastronomy Festival, Garifuna concert etc., people gain a greater appreciation of Garifuna history and traditions, and of the role Garifuna-Americans have played, and will continue to play, in New York’s society.
People can use this celebration to show the importance of Garifunas in the U.S. by donating to Garifuna charities, learning about Garifuna history, culture and honoring influential Garifunas who have made an impact on society.
