Battle of the Drums

BATTLE OF THE DRUMS

CONCEPT NOTE

Introduction:

The Battle of the Drums Initiative was conceptualize in October 2006 out of a desire to revive and promote various aspects of the Garifuna culture in PuntaGordaTownparticularly, the Garifuna drumming, singing and dance. The initiative’s major focus is to raise funds to invest in various cultural retrieval projects as outlined below. Funds are raised from three major sources as follows: donors, The Battle of the Drums annual raffle and The Battle of the Drums Annual Competition and Show.

Battle of the Drums Competition and Show–A cultural event to promote cultural retrieval

The Battle of the Drums Competition and Show is a drumming competition and show that allows groups to compete and display their musical artistry in playing five (5) different categories of Garifuna drumming. The first Battle of the Drums was held in PuntaGordaTown on November 17, 2006 and was well received by spectators from home and abroad. In 2007, there was even a bigger audience and greater enthusiasm. In 2008 the event evolved into an international drumming competition and show involving drumming groups from various parts of our country as well as from neighbouring Guatemala and Honduras. This competition and show has become a major local and tourist attraction and a catalyst for significant economic activity in the Punta Gorda Area during the period when it is hosted. Last year, preliminary surveys identified that all hotels were booked for the weekend (particularly the night of the show). Also, other stakeholders such as restaurants, bars and taxis reported impressive sales. The Battle of the Drums Competition and Showis held every year on the Saturday immediately preceding the 19th day of November.

The proceeds from the Battle of the Drums Initiative arestrictly used to pursue various cultural retrieval projects in Punta Gorda Town and other Garifuna communities as the funds allow. The cultural retrieval projects that the Initiative supports from the proceeds of its fundraising are as follows:

Sponsoring of the Re-enactment Ceremony(Urumein) in PuntaGordaTown.

The Re-enactment ceremony (Urumein) constitutes part of the official ceremonies related to the celebration of Garifuna Settlement Day. It is normally held each year between the hours of 5:00 and 6:30 a.m. on the 19th day of November and it depicts the first arrival of the Garinagu to the shores of Belize.

Of recent the depiction of this important part of Garifuna history has been misrepresented. Theceremony has largely been undertaken without regard for due process. For example, skiffs and engines have been used instead of dug-out canoes and paddles; and individuals who partake are generally not conversant with the role that they should play as part of the ceremony.

Staging the re-enactment ceremony (Urumein) has cost implications since there are expenses that have to be incurred such as rental of dug-out canoes and paddles, rental of Garifuna drums, purchasing of food items and, decoration supplies. The estimated cost of a re-enactment ceremony is $1,000.00. Some of the funds generated from the Battle of the Drums are used to provide training for the participants of the Re-enactment ceremony and to meet the cost of the ceremony.

Sponsoring the Libaña Chango (Chango’s Grandchildren) Group.

Libanya Chango Group is a dance group comprised of youths between the ages of nine and fourteen. The group was formed in 2003 with the primary aim of keeping the Garifuna culture alive among the youths. The group keeps the culture alive through dance and songs. They keep a rigorous practice schedule so as to remain poised to stage performances whenever required. The founder of the group is Nurse Hazel Cayetano.

Initiatives like these are certainly praiseworthy and are in line with the Battle of the Drums cultural retrieval agenda. The Battle of the Drums Secretariat supports this group annually in the amount of $1,000.00 to enable them to continue their work of keeping the culture alive. The funds are generally used to assist members of the group to attendSong and Dance workshops and in meeting any other cost to pursue their objective.

Organizing and Sponsoring of an Annual Children’s Summer Camp

In Punta Gorda Town, generally, children and young people of Garifuna heritage are not knowledgeable and conversant with various aspects of the Garifuna culture. For example many of them do not know how to speak the Garifuna language; neither are they aware of the Garifuna history, and do not know how to perform Garifuna dances and sing Garifuna songs. Additionally they do not understand the significance of Garifuna rituals.

The summer camp is held annually and is for a duration two weeks. The Camp targets children and young people between the ages of 5 and 15 years. The summer camp activities include:

(a)Teaching of the Garifuna language;

(b)Teaching of Garifuna history;

(c)Teaching of Garifuna songs and dances;

(d)Teaching of Garifuna Drumming;

(e)Introducing the participants to Garifuna spirituality;

(f)Introducing the participants to the sewing of Garifuna clothing and flags.

Organizing and Sponsoring a Garifuna Translation Quiz Contest

The Battle of the Drums Initiative conceptualized and organized the first Garifuna Translation Quiz Contest in 2008. It is a contest that tests the participants’ ability to translate different words, phrases and sentences from Standard English to Garifuna. The preparation for this quiz allows the participants to become familiar with various Garifuna words, phrases and expressions and the students who attend the contest are also afforded the opportunity to learn how to say certain words and phrases in Garifuna.

In 2008 and 2009, four schools participated in the quiz contest namely, St. Peter Claver Primary School, PuntaGordaMethodistSchool, PuntaGordaAdventistPrimary School and BarrancoSt. JosephPrimary School. This year the contest will be held on November 15th and the same schools will be participating. It is our hope that it will evolve into a national competition.

Continuation of the “(Garifuna) drumming in schools” program.

Garifuna drumming requires certain skills and it is believed to come with certain innate abilities. Garifuna drummers are generally needed to partake in religious ceremonies and Garifuna rituals, celebrations, pageants and cultural events.

In Punta Gorda Town, there are fewer adults than yesteryears who have the skill and drumming acumen to play the Garifuna drum. Additionally, there are only a few youths who know how to drum – the indication therefore is that Garifuna drummers are becoming “extinct”. The direct result of this is that the fee that drumming groups charge to drum for Garifuna rituals and festivities has become prohibitively expensive.

In January 2008, as part of its Cultural Retrieval Program, The Battle of the Drums Secretariat donated three pairs on drums to St. Peter Claver Primary School of Punta Gorda Town to assist them in establishing and maintaining a Garifuna drumming in schools program. At the time of the donation it wasrequired and expected that at least 40 students would be taught to drum and sing Garifuna music over the next two years. The reality is that the program has gained significant interest from students and more than 80 students learnt to play the Garifuna drums in the first year.

The Battle of the Drums Secretariat will continue to support the drumming of schools program and will seek to introduce the concept to other schools in Punta Gorda Town.

Contributions made to the Community through the Battle of the Drums Initiative

Year / Community Group / Purpose / Amount
2006-2007 / National Garifuna Council – Peini Branch / Sponsoring of the Re-enactment Ceremony / 500.00
2007-2008 / National Garifuna Council – Peini Branch / Sponsoring of the Re-enactment Ceremony / 1,000.00
Subascity Dance Group / Wanaragua Attire for retrieval of Wanaragua in PuntaGordaTown / 2,000.00
2008-2009 / National Garifuna Council – Peini Branch / Sponsoring of the Re-enactment Ceremony / 1,000.00
Libaña Chango Dance Group / Sponsoring of Song and Dance Workshops / 1,000.00
St. Peter Claver School / Garifuna Drumming in Schools Program / 2,000.00
Punta Gorda Garifuna Choir / Part sponsorship of Garifuna Mass booklet / 500.00
St. Peter Claver Garifuna Youth Group / Part Sponsorship of uniform / 100.00
Primary Schools Garifuna Translation Contest 2008 / Primary Schools Garifuna Translation Contest / 1,000.00
Battle of the Drums Annual Summer Camp 2009 / Battle of the Drums Annual Summer Camp / 2,000.00
2009-2010 / Primary Schools Garifuna Translation Contest 2009 / Primary Schools Garifuna Translation Contest / 2,000.00
Libaña Chango Dance Group / Sponsoring of Song and Dance Workshops / 1,000.00
Total / 13,100.00

Battle of the Drums Secretariat - The Organizing Committee for The Battle of the Drums Initiative

The Battle of the Drums initiative is the brainchild of Mr. Darius Avila, a businessman of PuntaGordaTown. The initiative is spearheaded by The Battle of the Drums Secretariat, which is a community-based organization comprised of the following leadersfrom PuntaGordaTown:

Darius Avila – Business Consultant/Owner-Beya Suites

Luke Palacio – Teacher, ToledoCommunity College

Harris Lucas – Retired Principal, St. Peter Claver Primary School

Simon Paulino – Transport Officer

James Petilllo – Captain-Belize Defence Force

Eric Lopez – Town Foreman – PuntaGordaTown Council

Carmen Lopez – Education Officer, Ministry of Education

Modesta Palacio –Assistant Education Officer, Ministry of Education

Joan Avila – Nurse – Medical Department

How You Can Contribute

Contributions can be made as follows: (1) for general support; (2) towards prizes for the Annual Battle of the Drums Competition and Show; (3) towards prizes for the Annual Raffle or (5) to support a particular cultural retrieval project.

Battle of the Drums Secretariat has arranged for different types of sponsorship as follows:

Diamond Sponsor - $5,000.00 and above

Gold Sponsor -$4,999.99 - $3,001.00

Silver Sponsor -$3,000.00 - $2,000.00

Bronze Sponsor -less than $2,000.00

Sponsors will be recognized in all advertisements and marketing paraphernalia, as well as during the Battle of the Drums competition and show and in all events and activities that the proceeds from the Battle of the Drums sponsor.Additionally, Silver sponsors and above will receive a financial report and photographs portraying activities and events sponsored. Checks can be written in the name of Battle of the Drums. In-kind contributions are also welcome.

Note that the Battle of the Drums initiative has the full support of the National Garifuna Council.

Battle of the Drums Secretariat Contacts:

Darius Avila

P.O. Box 110

58 Main Street

PuntaGordaTown

Office Phone No. 501-722-2956

Mobile Phone No. 501-621-0140

Fax No. 722-2509

Email: