Battle of The Drums

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Battle of The Drums The Battle of the Drums - for cultural Retrieval and Preservation!

๐๐‘๐„๐’๐’ ๐‘๐„๐‹๐„๐€๐’๐„๐—•๐—”๐—ง๐—ง๐—Ÿ๐—˜ ๐—ข๐—™ ๐—ง๐—›๐—˜ ๐——๐—ฅ๐—จ๐— ๐—ฆ ๐—”๐—ก๐—— ๐—š๐—”๐—ฅ๐—œ๐—™๐—จ๐—ก๐—” ๐—Ÿ๐—”๐—ก๐—š๐—จ๐—”๐—š๐—˜ ๐—–๐—ข๐— ๐— ๐—œ๐—ฆ๐—ฆ๐—œ๐—ข๐—ก ๐—˜๐—ก๐—š๐—”๐—š๐—˜ ๐— ๐—œ๐—ก๐—œ๐—ฆ๐—ง๐—˜๐—ฅ ๐—™๐—ข๐—ก๐—ฆ๐—˜๐—–๐—” ๐—ข๐—ก ๐—Ÿ๐—”๐—ก๐—š๐—จ๐—”๐—š๐—˜ ๐—ฃ๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—ฆ๐—˜๐—ฅ๐—ฉ๐—”๐—ง๐—œ๐—ข๐—ก ๐—”๐—ก๐—— ๐—˜...
10/14/2026

๐๐‘๐„๐’๐’ ๐‘๐„๐‹๐„๐€๐’๐„

๐—•๐—”๐—ง๐—ง๐—Ÿ๐—˜ ๐—ข๐—™ ๐—ง๐—›๐—˜ ๐——๐—ฅ๐—จ๐— ๐—ฆ ๐—”๐—ก๐—— ๐—š๐—”๐—ฅ๐—œ๐—™๐—จ๐—ก๐—” ๐—Ÿ๐—”๐—ก๐—š๐—จ๐—”๐—š๐—˜ ๐—–๐—ข๐— ๐— ๐—œ๐—ฆ๐—ฆ๐—œ๐—ข๐—ก ๐—˜๐—ก๐—š๐—”๐—š๐—˜ ๐— ๐—œ๐—ก๐—œ๐—ฆ๐—ง๐—˜๐—ฅ ๐—™๐—ข๐—ก๐—ฆ๐—˜๐—–๐—” ๐—ข๐—ก ๐—Ÿ๐—”๐—ก๐—š๐—จ๐—”๐—š๐—˜ ๐—ฃ๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—ฆ๐—˜๐—ฅ๐—ฉ๐—”๐—ง๐—œ๐—ข๐—ก ๐—”๐—ก๐—— ๐—˜๐—ซ๐—ฃ๐—”๐—ก๐—ฆ๐—œ๐—ข๐—ก

๐—•๐—ฒ๐—น๐—บ๐—ผ๐—ฝ๐—ฎ๐—ป, ๐—•๐—ฒ๐—น๐—ถ๐˜‡๐—ฒ | ๐—ข๐—ฐ๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐Ÿญ๐Ÿฏ, ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฒ

Representatives of the Battle of The Drums Secretariat and the Garifuna Language Commission met today with Hon. Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science and Technology, to advance efforts to preserve and revitalize the Garifuna language.

Discussions focused on the progress of the ๐—š๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ณ๐˜‚๐—ป๐—ฎ ๐—Ÿ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ด๐˜‚๐—ฎ๐—ด๐—ฒ ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐—ฆ๐—ฐ๐—ต๐—ผ๐—ผ๐—น๐˜€ ๐—ฃ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ด๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—บ, now operating in ๐Ÿญ๐Ÿฌ ๐—ฝ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—บ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐˜€๐—ฐ๐—ต๐—ผ๐—ผ๐—น๐˜€ ๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐˜€๐˜€ ๐—ฆ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ป ๐—•๐—ฒ๐—น๐—ถ๐˜‡๐—ฒ, and securing continued ministerial support to strengthen and expand the initiative. The Garifuna Language in Schools program is a joint initiative of the Battle of The DrumsSecretariat and The National Garifuna Council and was approved by the Government of Belize in 2024.

The meeting also explored an exciting opportunity for regional collaboration following a request from the ๐—š๐—ผ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ป๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜ ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—ฆ๐˜. ๐—ฉ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜ ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—š๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜€ for assistance in revitalizing the Garifuna language in our ancestral homeland.

Minister Fonseca reaffirmed a โ€œ๐˜€๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฑ ๐˜ƒ๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ปโ€, commended the work being undertaken and committed to continue supporting the initiative.

We sincerely appreciate the Minister's continued support and encouragement as we advance our mission to safeguard the Garifuna language for future generations.

๐—ข๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐—Ÿ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ด๐˜‚๐—ฎ๐—ด๐—ฒ. ๐—ข๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐—œ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜๐—ถ๐˜๐˜†. ๐—ข๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐—Ÿ๐—ฒ๐—ด๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐˜†.

๐ผ๐‘ ๐‘ ๐‘ข๐‘’๐‘‘ ๐‘๐‘ฆ ๐‘กโ„Ž๐‘’ ๐ต๐‘Ž๐‘ก๐‘ก๐‘™๐‘’ ๐‘œ๐‘“ ๐‘กโ„Ž๐‘’ ๐ท๐‘Ÿ๐‘ข๐‘š๐‘  ๐‘†๐‘’๐‘๐‘Ÿ๐‘’๐‘ก๐‘Ž๐‘Ÿ๐‘–๐‘Ž๐‘ก ๐‘Ž๐‘›๐‘‘ ๐‘กโ„Ž๐‘’ ๐บ๐‘Ž๐‘Ÿ๐‘–๐‘“๐‘ข๐‘›๐‘Ž ๐ฟ๐‘Ž๐‘›๐‘”๐‘ข๐‘Ž๐‘”๐‘’ ๐ถ๐‘œ๐‘š๐‘š๐‘–๐‘ ๐‘ ๐‘–๐‘œ๐‘›.

10/12/2026

RELEASE - INDIGENOUS PEOPLESโ€™ RESISTANCE DAY 2026

Punta Gorda, Belize | October 12, 2026

As we commemorate Indigenous Peoplesโ€™ Day 2026, we honour the courage, sacrifice and resilience of our Garifuna ancestors, who endured persecution, forced displacement from their ancestral homeland of Yurumein (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), and generations of discrimination and marginalization.

Despite these historical injustices, the Garifuna people have demonstrated extraordinary resilience, preserving a distinct identity through our language, music, spirituality, traditional foods, cultural practices and enduring sense of community. Our survival is a testament to resistance; our cultural preservation is an expression of self-determination.

However, Indigenous Peoplesโ€™ Resistance Day must be more than a commemoration of past injustices. It must inspire renewed commitment to dignity, recognition, preserving our culture and a continued push for assimilation into our society, free from systemic barriers. We are thankful to the Government of Belize for its recent engagement with The National Garifuna Council. We look forward to the affirmation of Garifuna indigenous identity, strengthening of the protection of our ancestral lands and cultural heritage, and ensuring our meaningful participation in decisions affecting our communities and future generations.

As it relates to our indigeneity, we remind that Article 1 of the International Labour Organization's Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169), identifies three fundamental considerations relevant to indigenous recognition:

1. Ancestral connection: Descent from populations inhabiting a country or geographical region at the time of [European] conquest, colonization or the establishment of present state boundaries.

2. Cultural and institutional continuity: Preservation of distinct social, economic, cultural and political institutions.

3. Self-identification: Recognition of one's collective identity as indigenous or tribal.

The Garifuna people's indigenous ancestry, living cultural traditions and distinct collective identity provides for the compelling and authoritative recognition under these international standards.

LONG LIVE THE GARIFUNA PEOPLE!

Our history is one of resistance. Our identity is our strength. Our culture is our legacy.

In the words of the Co-founder of the Battle of The Drums Garifuna Retrieval and Preservation Initiative, Mrs. Olivia Palacio Avila: โ€œBUNGIU WAMA!โ€

In English, we say Coconut. ๐ŸฅฅIn Garifuna, we sayFรกluma. ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿค๐Ÿ–คLearn the language. Carry the culture. ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฟ
10/06/2026

In English, we say Coconut. ๐Ÿฅฅ
In Garifuna, we sayFรกluma. ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿค๐Ÿ–ค

Learn the language. Carry the culture. ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฟ

In English, we say Hat. ๐ŸŽฉIn Garifuna, we say Bunidi. ๐Ÿ–ค๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’šLearn the language. Carry the culture. ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฟ
10/02/2026

In English, we say Hat. ๐ŸŽฉ
In Garifuna, we say Bunidi. ๐Ÿ–ค๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’š

Learn the language. Carry the culture. ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฟ

10/02/2026

BATTLE OF THE DRUMS

MEDIA RELEASE โ€” FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TOLEDO MUST REMAIN CONNECTED TO BELIZE AND TO THE WORLD.

Battle of the Drums Calls for Urgent Action to Preserve Scheduled Air Service to Punta Gorda

Punta Gorda Town, Belize | October 1, 2026

The Battle of the Drums joins the people of Punta Gorda, residents of the wider Toledo District, tourism stakeholders and the business community in expressing deep concern over Tropic Airโ€™s announcement that it will discontinue scheduled service to Punta Gorda effective November 1, 2026.

As an organization created in Punta Gorda and deeply invested in the cultural and economic development of southern Belize, we recognize that Tropic Air must make difficult business decisions and acknowledge the financial challenges outlined by the airline. We also sincerely appreciate Tropic Airโ€™s many years of service to our community.

However, the loss of the only scheduled air service to Punta Gorda is significant - It is a development issue for the entire Toledo District.

Reliable air connectivity supports tourism, business, investment, government services, emergency, professional travel, and the general movement of residents and visitors. Its loss could make Toledo economically unappealing and less accessible at a time when considerable effort is being made to expand tourism, attract investment and create economic opportunities in southern Belize. Toledo's tremendous potential depends, in part, on reliable and efficient air access to the District.

We therefore respectfully call upon the Government of Belize, Tropic Air, tourism authorities, local leaders, the private sector and all stakeholders for us to work together to identify a practical and sustainable solution that could allow scheduled air service to Punta Gorda to continue. All reasonable options should be explored that could improve the viability of the route while recognizing the wider economic and social value of maintaining air connectivity to Belize's southernmost district.

TOLEDO MUST NOT BE LEFT BEHIND.

The people of southern Belize deserve the infrastructure and connectivity necessary to participate fully in our country's development. Let us work together to keep Punta Gorda connected โ€” to Belize and to the world.

โ€“ END โ€“

Issued by:
The Battle of The Drums
Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District, Belize

09/21/2026

Happy Independence Belize!๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฟ!

๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฟ Happy 10th of September, Belize! ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฟToday, we celebrate 228 years since the Battle of St. Georgeโ€™s Caye โ€” a moment in ...
09/10/2026

๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฟ Happy 10th of September, Belize! ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฟ

Today, we celebrate 228 years since the Battle of St. Georgeโ€™s Caye โ€” a moment in our history that continues to remind us of the strength, courage, and unity of our people.

As we celebrate our nation, we also celebrate the culture, traditions, music, and stories that make Belize who we are. Just as the drum brings people together, our shared heritage continues to connect us across generations.

From the Battle of The Drums family to Belizeans everywhere โ€” at home and abroad โ€” we wish you a proud and meaningful 10th of September.

๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฟ Our history. Our culture. Our Belize. ๐Ÿฅโค๏ธ

09/09/2026

๐ŸฅOur culture lives when we choose to keep it alive.

Chantal Williams delivers a powerful performance of โ€œPanta Wama Louโ€ at the Hamalali Wanigu Album Launch in Belize City. ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฟโœจ

More than a song, it is a reminder of our responsibility to honor where we come from, protect our heritage, and continue the fight to keep our Garifuna culture alive for generations to come. ๐Ÿฅ๐ŸŒŠโค๏ธ

Our music is our voice. Our culture is our legacy. Let it live on.

๐ŸŽถ "Hamalali Wanigu" available now on all major streaming platforms.

09/02/2026

Some songs are more than musicโ€”they carry memories, stories, and a piece of who we are.

Elroy Martinez shares that spirit through his heartfelt performance of โ€œAba Meme Mutuโ€ at the Hamalali Wanigu Album Launch in Belize City.

From the first beat to the last note, you can feel the love for our culture, our people, and the traditions that continue to keep us connected.

Hamalali Wanigu Album -available now on all major streaming platforms.

08/27/2026

In English, we say Ankle.
In Garifuna, we say Urumugutei. ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿค๐Ÿ–ค

Learn the language. Carry the culture. ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฟ

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