By Charles Gladden
BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Oct. 22, 2025
The Belize City branch of the National Garifuna Council (NGC) officially launched its calendar of events for this year’s November celebration in honor of Garifuna Settlement Day, and also introduced this year’s candidates for Ms. Garifuna Queen Belize City.
The events outlined in the calendar are only those that will be hosted by the NGC Belize City branch and held in Belize City.
“All twelve branches will have a launch of their 19th of November calendar of events, from Barranco all the way to San Pedro,” declared Alex Nolberto, national president of the NGC.
“November is filled with Garifuna-related activities, and we want to implore Belizeans to support the Garifuna people, participate in the festivities; it’s not only a 19th of November event, but let’s make the November celebrations a grand event for Garinagu across the country. We welcome all our Belizean brothers and sisters,” he added.
The theme of this year’s celebration is, “Garifuna Moving Forward: Honoring Tradition, Embracing Change, Strengthening Identity.”
The events on the calendar start on November 1, with four young ladies vying for the title of Ms. Garifuna Queen 2025.
A solidarity mass will be held on November 1, along with a motorcade through the streets of Belize City. On November 7, schools in the St. Martin De Porres area will be visiting the Luba Garifuna Museum. On November 11, there will be an open panel discussion focusing on this year’s theme at the University of the West Indies. On November 13, there will be a tribute to TV Ramos at Dreamers Lounge in Ladyville.
On November 14, “The Voice of Our Children,” a dramatic play, will be performed at the Bliss Center for Performing Arts. The following day will feature a karaoke event at Stephen’s Place in the Fabers Road area, and a mass will be held at St. Martin De Porres Church on Sunday, November 16.
On November 17 there will be a Puta Topia Concert at the Belize Airport Authority, and a Food and Music Day the following day to usher in the 19th, when the Yurumein arrival at Belcan Bridge will be followed by a march from the Belize City Civic Center to St. Martin De Porres Church for a mass, and then back again to the Civic Center for the official ceremonies.
In a prelude to the big November calendar of events, the Belize City Ms. Garifuna pageant will be held on Saturday, October 25, at the Belize Elementary School, with the winner then participating in the national Ms. Garifuna Queen competition on November 1 at the Belize City Civic Center. “It should be tight and interesting because the young ladies will be showcasing what we call Garifuna Dua. That is the Garifuna heritage, a Garifuna culture, the Garifuna dance, singing, and their presentation, including the attire,” said Raphael Martinez, president of the NGC Belize City branch.
