Beatrice Mariano, a proud Barranguna from Barranco Village, Belize, stopped by to share about her experiences being gayusa (singer) in the Dabuyaba (Garifuna temple). She teaches us about the behind-the-scenes of a dügü (sacred ancestral ceremony), how she was called to be a gayusa, and a bit about her gayusa group. Overall, she shares what she has learned so far on her spiritual journey.

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This week the Sistas sat down with Dr. Gwen Nuñez Gonzalez, a Garifuna language educator based in Dangriga, Belize. She shares her views on Garifuna spirituality, the powerful experience she had on the pilgrimage to St Vincent and the Grenadines (Yurumein) in 2017 and the importance of learning the Garifuna language.

Book mentioned in the podcast:

From Villain to National Hero: Chatoyer and the Early Struggle for the Independence of St. Vincent (Yurumein)-[Fraser, Adrian]

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Villain-National-Hero-Chatoyer-Independence/dp/1084115107

Contact Gwen to learn more and purchase her language books:

Whatsapp: +5016214097

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garifunasistaspodcast

Martha is a proud Garifuna-American from the Bronx, NY with strong roots to Livingston, Guatemala. She shares how she came to understand her spiritual walk, and the lessons learned balancing spirituality with life, relationships, family and our ever-evolving culture.

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Check out the Belize KULCHA Symposium:

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This week the Sistas sit down with Surusia Peitra Arana, a Garifuna medical doctor based in Belize. Surusia P shares the extensive background of the pilgrimage to St Vincent and the Grenadines in 2017. She also teaches us a method of distinguishing between western medicine and spiritual medicine, as well as sharing mental health concerns in the context of our spirituality. Finally, Surusia P offers great advice for those of us at the beginning and in the midst our spiritual walk.

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Garifuna Duchess stopped by to chat with the Sistas about her groundbreaking memoir, “My Spiritual Journey: A Symbiotic Relationship With My Ancestors”. In it, she vulnerably shares her experience of the beginning stages of her spiritual walk. She shares the confusion and the pain, but also the peace, joy and power of creating a healthy relationship with her ancestors.

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Connect with Garifuna Duchess—All links to purchase her book and/or follow her on social media are available on her website:

https://garifunaduchess.com

Her book is available in digital and paperback on Amazon, directly on her website or Gumroad.

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Raheem Mariano is known as one of the best drummers coming out of Barranco Village, Belize. He was 14 years old when he was first called to drum for a dügü (an ancestral family reunion), and this week he joins the Sistas to share his experience of having the drums run through his veins. Raheem talks about what it was like growing up in the village, and he details what it's like to drum for a dügü (a sacred ancestral reunion). He also shares the self care routine drummers must abide by when drumming for a ceremony.

Podcasts Mentioned in the Episode:

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This week, whip out your notebooks and your Bibles, folks! Nilson Gamboa is a Garifuna minister and educator from Livingston, Guatemala and is currently based in New York. He teaches the Sistas about the Biblical perspective on Garifuna Spirituality. He teaches about how the stories in the Old Testament are parallel to our own lives, and how they provide valuable lessons (especially when it comes to being ‘called’). He also provides a different perspective on what actually happens when the ancestors ‘punish’ their descendants for their disobedience.

Nilson is also a community organiser with a mission to improve the lives of Garifuna communities in Honduras and Guatemala. Find out more about his organisation and consider donating to the Genesis Inter-Community Group, Inc. (GICG):

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This is a rich conversation with Joshua Arana, a talented Garifuna drummer from Dangriga, Belize. He talks about the spirit of “aü bun amuru nu” (“I for you and you for me”) from his perspective as a Garifuna drummer. Josh tells the story of how he struggled with his Garifuna identity as a youth growing up, understanding his purpose and calling as a drummer, and the value of the feminine aspect of drumming. He also shares about his experience in Yurumein (St Vincent and the Grenadines) in 2017 and what he learned.

Watch his TEDx Talk:

https://youtu.be/K1sm1WCcY6o

Contact the Garifuna Sistas:

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/garifunasistaspodcast

Instagram:

http://instagram.com/garifunasistaspodcast

Email: [email protected]

This week the Sistas are joined by their very own momma, Sylvia Sampson Cayetano. She shares about her upbringing as a Garifuna in Belize City, and the challenges of raising her daughters to be grounded in their identity in the midst of unique circumstances. Garifuna spirituality was never part of her childhood until she was awoken in the middle of the night by a message delivered from the ancestors. This ultimately led to organizing a healing pilgrimage to St Vincent and the Grenadines in 2017–the Garifuna Diaspora United in Healing. And, of course, the journey continues.

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