The overarching aim of the Belize Garifuna Song Competition is to take Garifuna music back to the pinnacle of world music recognition that Andy Palacio and The Garifuna Collective had taken it to in 2007.

Specific Objectives of the Competition are:

1. To motivate musicians to produce quality Garifuna music that will be of world music standards.
2. To provide a forum allowing musicians to showcase their Garifuna music and jump-start their careers.
3. To encourage Garifuna musicians to continue producing songs in all genres of Garifuna music, thereby contributing to the library of Garifuna music across many genres.
4. To assist musicians in acquiring the skills and equipment and connecting with professionals in the music industry who will assist in propelling them to the pinnacle of world-class music production.
5. To contribute to cultural tourism by attracting international musical enthusiasts to a competition and related events where music of world-class category is being promoted.

The Competition is open to amateur and professional musicians who submit entries in any one of the following 5 genres (categories): Hungu Hungu, Paranda, Punta, Punta Rock or a mix (combination) of two or more of the aforementioned genres.

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Entries are judged on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics. The lyrics of all songs have to be in the Garifuna Language.

Winners of the 2024 Belize Garifuna Song Competition are:

1. Song of the Year Award: “Libagari Garifuna” by Henry Miguel
2. Budding Artist of the Year Award: “Busentiañ” by Rodney “Bam Bam” Avila

   Listen to this years Songs here
   

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The Competition is open to amateur and professional musicians who submit entries in any one of the following 5 genres (categories): Hungu Hungu, Paranda, Punta, Punta Rock, or a mix (combination) of two or more of the aforementioned genres. Entries are judged on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics. The lyrics of all songs have to be in the Garifuna Language.

Winners of the 2023 Belize Garifuna Song Competition are:
1. Song of the Year Award: Nuguchi by G-King Castillo
2. Single Genre Song of the Year Award: Gimugau by Desiree Diego
3. Budding Artist of the Year Award: Udieh Wadieh by Terrick “Mackaz” Magdaleno
4. Budding Artist of the Year Award: Lidan Aban Garifuna by Ethan Mariano

Listen to this year’s songs.

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Celebrating the Participants: Five high schools proudly participated in the 2022 High Schools Battle of the Drums:

1. Sadie Vernon Technical High School
2. Delille Academy
3. George Town Technical High School
4. Independence High School
5. Toledo Community College

Each of these schools brought their unique style and energy to the stage, making it a memorable event for all who attended.

Objectives of the Event: The High Schools Battle of the Drums serves several important purposes:

1. Showcasing Youth Talent: The event provides a platform for high school students to showcase their talents in Garifuna drumming, singing, and dance.
2. Cultural Exchange: It brings together youths from different parts of Belize, allowing them to interact and engage in a positive cultural experience. This fosters cultural exchange and strengthens their sense of community.
3. Self-Sustainability: The event aims to generate funds that can be reinvested in future editions of the High Schools Battle of the Drums, ensuring its self-sustainability.
4. Cultural Preservation: Funds raised are also used to support Garifuna cultural retrieval projects in participating high schools, preserving and passing down cultural traditions to the next generation.
5. Talent Pool: High Schools Battle of the Drums creates a talent pool that can participate in the Annual (Adult) Battle of the Drums Competition and Show, ensuring the continuity of this cultural celebration.

The Winners and Their Achievements: The event’s climax was the announcement of the winners, who demonstrated exceptional skills and passion for Garifuna culture:

1st Place – Independence High School: Independence High School took home the coveted 1st place, along with a cash prize of $500.00. They also received 1st Place medals, a pair of Garifuna drums, and a trophy valued at $800.00, making their victory even more special.

2nd Place – Delille Academy: Delille Academy secured the 2nd place position, earning a prize of $400.00 and 2nd Place medals. Their dedication to preserving Garifuna culture shone through their performance.

3rd Place – Georgetown Technical High School: Georgetown Technical High School claimed the 3rd place, winning $300.00 and 3rd Place medals. Their impressive display of talent delighted the audience.

Special Awards: In addition to the top three schools, several individual awards were given out to recognize exceptional talent:

• Best Chumba Performance: Georgetown Technical High School received a special award of $100.00 for their outstanding Chumba performance.
• Best Wanaragua Dancer: Erei Ramos of Independence High School was awarded $100.00 for being the Best Wanaragua Dancer, captivating the audience with his dance moves.
• Best Sisira Player: Steven Valentine from Delille Academy was recognized as the Best Sisira Player, receiving a well-deserved $75.00 prize.
• The Best Gayusa Award: Georgetown Technical High School won the Best Gayusa award and received $50.00 for their remarkable performance.

Support for All Participants: While some schools achieved top honors, every participating school received recognition and support. Other schools received consolation prizes of $200.00, and all schools were granted $50.00 each to contribute to their uniforms. This inclusive approach ensures that every school can continue to participate and thrive in the High Schools Battle of the Drums.

The 2022 High Schools Battle of the Drums was a resounding success, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Garifuna people and the remarkable talents of Belizean high school students. This event not only serves as a platform for youth to showcase their abilities but also as a means to preserve and nurture their cultural traditions. It promotes unity, positivity, and self-sustainability, enriching the lives of those who participate and attend.

The High Schools Battle of the Drums is a shining example of how cultural events can empower young generations, ensuring the preservation of cultural traditions for years to come. We eagerly look forward to the next edition, where even more youth will have the chance to shine and keep the heartbeat of Garifuna culture alive in Belize

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1. Stann Creek Ecumenical High School
2. Delille Academy
3.  George Town Technical High School
4.  Independence High School
5. Julian Cho Technical High School
6. Toledo Community College
7.  Wesley College
8.  Maud Williams High School

The objectives of this event are as follows:

1. Allow high school-aged youths to compete in a meaningful way while showcasing their talents in the expressive art of Garifuna drumming, singing, and dance;
2. Provide a forum for high school-aged youths from different parts of the country to interact with each other while engaging in a positive cultural experience and environment;
3.  Generate funds that will be re-invested in the High Schools Battle of the Drums thereby making itself sustaining;
4. Generate funds that will be used to pursue various Garifuna cultural retrieval projects in the participating high schools;
5. Provide a talent pool that will provide future participating groups for the Annual (Adult) Battle of the Drums Competition and Show.

The winners of the High Schools Battle of the Drums are as follows:

1st Place – Independence High School who won $500.00, 1st Place medals, a pair of Garifuna Drum & a trophy valued at $800.00

2nd Place – Georgetown Technical High School who won $400.00 and 2nd Place medals

3rd Place – Delille Academy who won $300.00 and 3rd Place medals

Best Chumba Performance – Independence High School, who won $100.00
Best Wanaragua Dancer – Leroy Gonzalez from Ecumenical High School, who won $100.00
Best Sisira Player – Steven Valentine from Delille Academy, who won $75.00

Independence High School, Delille Academy, and Georgetown Technical High School tied for The Best Gayusa Group award. They will share $150.00 Other schools received consolation prizes of $200.00. All schools received $50.00 each for contributions to their uniforms. The High Schools Battle of the Drums is an activity under the Garifuna drumming, singing, and dance strategic objective of the Battle of the Drums Garifuna Cultural Retrieval and Preservation Initiative.

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1. The song of the Year Award went to Elroy “Elstar” Martinez for his song Aba Meme Mutu (The same people)
2. The single Genre Song of the Year Award went to Sheldon Petillo for his song, Namule (My younger brother)
3. Budding Artist of the Year went to Chantal Williams for her song, Panta Wama Lau (Let’s be proud of it)

Song of the Year Winner Elroy “Elstar Martinez”

Single Genre Song of the Year Winner
Sheldon Petillo

Budding Artist of the Year Winner
Chantel Williams

The song entries were judged on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics and each song entry had to be in the Garifuna Language. The judges were Lucio Enriquez, Aurelio Martinez and James Lovell. The Song of the year award won a total of $7,000 in tangible and intangible prizes; while the Single Genre award received $4,400 in tangible and intangible prizes and the Budding Artist award received $3,900 in tangible and intangible prizes. The Judges also recognized Henry Miguel and Rodney “Bam Bam” Avila for their songs in their respective categories. The Belize Garifuna Song Competition is part of the Garifuna cultural retrieval and preservation initiative of the Battle of the Drums Secretariat of Punta Gorda Town. The objectives of the Competition are:

1. To motivate musicians to produce quality Garifuna music that will be of world music standards;
2. To provide a forum that allows musicians to showcase their Garifuna music and possibly jump-start their careers;
3. To encourage Garifuna musicians to continue to produce songs in all genres of Garifuna music, thereby contributing to the library of Garifuna music across many genres;
4. To assist musicians in acquiring the skills and equipment; connecting them with professionals in the music industry and assisting them to secure their intellectual property and market their music;
5. To contribute to cultural tourism by attracting international musical enthusiasts to a competition and related events where the music of the world-class category is being promoted. 

For more information, you can visit www.battleofthedrums.bz.

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The Battle of the Drums 2020 Virtual will showcase 5 types of Garifuna Drumming. The drumming styles are Punta, Paranda, Hungü Hungü, Chumba, and Wanaragua. Each drumming group, comprising of 6 members, will provide choreography showcasing the 5 drumming styles. Each performance will be for a maximum of 8 minutes. The groups will come from Punta Gorda, Seine Bight, Dangriga, and Belize City. All groups are from the country of Belize. The Battle of the Drums Virtual Show will run for approximately 1.5 hours.

The Garifuna Musical Festival 2020 Virtual

The Garifuna Musical Festival 2020 Virtual will be shown to our viewers immediately following the Battle of the Drums 2020 Virtual Show. The Garifuna Musical Festival 2020 Virtual is a structured concert that displays 5 genres of Garifuna music in the following sequence: Hungü Hungü, Paranda, Gunjei, Punta, and Punta Rock. The Garifuna Musical Festival should run for approximately 2 hours. The performances for the Show will be provided by an impressive line-up of local and international bands and artists including:

1. Sweet Pain Band
2. Wageirale Drummers
3. Nuru Ellis and the Garifuna Heart Beat Band Artists
4. Chico Ramos
5. Mohobob Flores
6. Reckless Flores
7. Lloyd Augustine
8. Nuru Ellis
9. GCK

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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:

At the end of the Competition, the following winners were declared:

1^st Place – Ecumenical Junior College from Dangriga Town

2^nd Place – Lirahunu Seinbeidi from Seine Bight Village

3^rd Place – Heretimatiwa Úwara from Belize City

Best Chumba Performance – Wageirale Drummers from Dangriga Town

Best Wanaragua Dancer –

Most Exciting Sisira Performance – Wageirale Drummers from Dangriga Town

Best Uniform – Harisi Wayunagu from Dangriga Town

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High Schools Battle of the Drums featured the following high schools

1. Stann Creek Ecumenical High School
2. Delille Academy
3. George Town Technical High School
4. Independence High School
5. Julian Cho Technical High School
6. Toledo Community College
7. Wesley College

The objectives of this event are as follows:

1. Allow high school-aged youths to compete in a meaningful way while showcasing their talents in the expressive art of Garifuna drumming, singing, and dance;
2. Provide a forum for high school-aged youths from different parts of the country to interact with each other while engaging in a positive cultural experience and environment;
3. Generate funds which will be re-invested in the High Schools Battle of the Drums thereby making it self-sustaining;
4. Generate funds that will be used to pursue various Garifuna cultural retrieval projects in the participating high schools;
5. Provide a talent pool that will provide future participating groups for Annual (Adult) Battle of the Drums Competition and Show.

The winners of the High Schools Battle of the Drums are as follows:

1^st Place- Ecumenical High School who won $500.00, 1^st Place medals, a pair of Garifuna Drum & a trophy valued at 800.00*

2^nd Place- Delille Academy who won $400.00 and 2^nd Place medals

3^rd Place-Independence High School who won $300.00 and 3^rd Place medals

Best Chumba Performance – Delille Academy, which won $100.00

Best Wanaragua Dancer – Raheem Ramos from Independence Hgh School, who won $100.00

Best Sisira Player – Marion Lewis from Delille Academy, who won $75.00

Other schools received consolation prizes of $200.00 each as well as $50.00 each for contribution to their uniforms.

The High Schools Battle of the Drums is an activity under the Garifuna drumming, singing and dance strategic objective of the Battle of the Drums Garifuna Cultural Retrieval and Preservation Initiative.

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1^st Place went to Independence High School who took away the trophy and the 1^st Place Plaque. They also won $500.00, a pair of Garifuna drums and 1^st place medals. 2^nd Place went to Delille Academy who won $400.00 and 2^nd place medals. Delille Academy also won the Best Chumba performance and Best sisira (maracas) player. 3^rd Place went to Georgetown Technical High School who won $300.00 and 3^rd place medals.

Best Wanaragua dancer went to Toledo Community College. Consolation prizes went to Wesley College, Toledo Community College, and Ecumenical High School. Awards were also issued to 2 coordinators from each high school for their stellar work in preparing the teams for this prestigious event. As the 2018 first place winner, Independence High School has now ascended to the prestigious status of back-to-back Champion of High Schools Battle of the Drums.

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The song entries were being judged on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics; except for the People’s Choice Award that was determined through Digicel text voting. Each song entry had to be no longer than 3 minutes and the lyrics had to be in the Garifuna Language. The judges were Lucio Enriquez, Aurelio Martinez, and Ivan Duran.

The Song of the year award won a total of $5,000 in cash and non-cash prizes; while the Single Genre and Multi-Genre awards received cash and non-cash prizes of $3,500.00 each. The Budding Artist and the People’s Choice awards won $2,000.00 in cash and non-cash prizes each. The Judges also recognized the following artists for their songs: Haddi Arzu, Dayaan “Nuru” Ellis, Terrick “Mackas” Magdaleno, Tariq Avilez, Henry Miguel, and Densfield Augustine.
The Belize Garifuna Song Competition is a Garifuna cultural retrieval and preservation initiative of the Battle of the Drums Secretariat of Punta Gorda Town.

The objectives of the Competition are:

• To motivate musicians to produced quality Garifuna music that will be of world music standards;
• To provide a forum that allows musicians to showcase their Garifuna music and possibly jump-start their career;
• To encourage Garifuna musicians to continue to produce songs in all genres of Garifuna music, thereby contributing to the library of Garifuna music across many genres;
• To assist musicians in acquiring the skills and equipment and connecting with professionals in the music industry who will assist in propelling them to the pinnacle of world-class music production;
• To contribute to cultural tourism by attracting international musical enthusiasts to a competition and related events where the music of the world-class category is being promoted.

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