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This event brings people together from all walks of life to socialize, network and enjoy an evening of good food and great Garifuna music.  It showcases Garifuna cuisine fused with contemporary cooking styles, dishes and menus prepared by executive chefs from luxury resorts located in Southern Belize as well as local cooks.

Also, for the first time ever, the Belize Garifuna Song Competition Awards and Concert will be incorporated into the events for this night. Awards will be presented to the 12 semi-finalists of the Garifuna Song Competition who will present their songs to the audience. From the 12 semi-finalists, 5 will be chosen to be awarded as follows:

1. Song of the Year Award
2. Best multi-genre song Award – Amateur
3. Best single genre song Award – Amateur
4. Best multi-genre song Award – Professional
5. Best single genre song Award – Professional

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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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(a) Awards to various Garifuna individuals
(b) Garifuna fashion show
(c) Silent auction of prized Garifuna art and items.

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This novel and captivating experience will travel through our beautiful and diverse country of Belize all while promoting a healthier lifestyle, and creating a fun space, while also educating and preserving the Garifuna Culture. The event will include a combination of a Disc Jockey with live Garifuna Drumming accompanied by a team of singers (Gayusa) that will harmoniously follow the instructions and the rhythm of the instructor as he continuously and joyfully engages the participants.

The total duration of the session is 120 minutes. Outside of the 120 minutes, about 30 minutes will be allocated for meet & greet, warm-up, and also to engage the attendees. The tour will make 8 stops, commencing in Orange Walk followed by, Belize City, Caye Caulker, Belmopan, San Ignacio, Dangriga, Hopkins, and Punta Gorda.

Our goal is to make this novel and captivating experience affordable so that a great number of our Belizean people can be a part of this captivating experience. Therefore tickets will be sold for this event at an affordable rate of $25 per individual.

CULTURE, HEALTH & WELLNESS

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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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