Garifuna Drumming

In early September I began to take Garifuna Drumming lessons here in Punta Gorda. In Belize one of the ethnic groups is called the Garifuna. The Garifuna people came from the Caribbean island of St. Vincent and migrated to Central America after the British invaded their island. They carried along with them their language, food, and music. Some of their music was lost. Only a couple songs remain today that have been passed down from generation to generation. Some of the songs are Chumba, Paranda, and my favorite the Punta. There are two drums the primero ,which is small and has a high sound, and the Segundo, which is large with a deep sound. A Garifuna drum is usually made of mahogany and deer skin. My teacher Mr. Ronald Mc Donald is a experienced drummer who expresses his culture through Garifuna drumming. It’s been a wonderful experience to me to be immersed in the music of the Garifuna culture.