18th Annual Battle of the Drums Competition and Show
The 18 th Annual Battle of the Drums Competition and Show was held on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the Sporting Auditorium in Punta Gorda Town, Belize. The Battle of the Drums Competition and Show is one where drumming groups comprised of 6 members compete to be recognized for the prestigious title of Masters of the Garifuna Drums. The following drumming groups participated in the event:
| Group Name | English Translation of Name | Municipality |
| Heretimatiwa | Úwara We are Stronger Together | Belize City |
| Hanigi Wagübürigu | Our Parents Heartbeat | Dangriga Town |
| Liderebugu Familia | The Family’s Strength | Seine Bight Village |
| Walangante Georgetown | Georgetown’s Legacy | GeorgetownVillage |
At the end of the Competition, the following winners were declared:
1st Place – Hanigi Wagübürigu from Dangriga Town. They received $1,800.00, pair of drums & a trophy valued at 1,000.00
2nd Place – Liderebugu Familia from Seine Bight Village. They received $1,200.00 sponsored by the Martin Petillo Family Memorial Account
3rd Place – Walangante Georgetown from Georgetown Village. They received $800.00 sponsored by Raju’s Variety Store.
Consolation Prize went to Heretimatiwa Úwara sponsored by, Olive Tate.
Best Chumba Performance – Heretimatiwa Úwara from Belize City – 150.00
Best Wanaragua Dancer – Walangante Georgetown – $100.00 and a plaque sponsored by Lan Barangu luba Garifunaduou.
Most Exciting Sisira Performance – Trizane Thomas from Heretimatiwa Úwara of Dangriga Town – $100
Maura Lopez Award for Best Group Gayusa – shared by Hanigi Wayunagu of Dangriga Town and Liderebugu Familia, from Seine Bight Village. They received $250 each, sponsored by Family of the late Maura Lopez Olivia Palacio Avila Award for Best Uniform –shared by Walangante Georgetown of Georgetown Village and Hanigi Wagübürigu from Dangriga Town. They received $250 each sponsored by the Battle of the Drums Secretariat in honour of the co-founder of the Battle of the Drums, Mrs. Olivia Palacio Avila.
The annual Battle of the Drums festivities are held each year in Peini Punta Gorda, Belize. The festivities showcase various aspects of the Garifuna culture while at the same time creating income generating opportunities for the Battle of the Drums Secretariat so that we can support our Garifuna cultural retrieval and preservation initiative which is pursued under the 3 main pillars:
1. Garifuna Language retrieval and preservation
2. Garifuna Drumming, Singing and Dance retrieval and preservation; and,
3. Garifuna Community support.
