18th Annual Battle of the Drums 2023

The night commences with the 18^th Annual Battle of the Drums Competition and Show. This is a 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 Punta Gorda Town on November 17, 2006, and has been well received by spectators from home and abroad.  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.  The Battle of the Drums Competition and Show is held every year on the Saturday immediately preceding the 19^th day of November.

The proceeds from the Battle of the Drums Initiative are strictly used to pursue various Garifuna cultural retrieval projects in Punta Gorda Town and other Garifuna communities as the funds allow.  The cultural retrieval projects include the annual Battle of the Drums summer camps for children and youths, the Garifuna Language and Drumming in Schools program for primary school-age children, Annual Primary Schools Garifuna Translation contest, among others.