Goals of Garifuna Classes

GAHFU’S GARIFUNA CULTURE & LANGUAGE SCHOOL GOALS

1. To teach Garifuna language to Garinagu and non-Garinagu children and adults. This includes the teaching of the basic skills of speaking, reading and writing.

2. To instill among Garinagu and friends an appreciation and love for our beautiful, expressive language, music, culture, beliefs, traditions, folklore, arts & crafts and our Garifunaduaü.

3. To promote the significance of the Garifuna culture, history and the development of American society.

4. To nurture, promote, practice, retrieve and document Garifunaduaü in due time before it is lost.

5. To encourage and motivate Garifuna parents to nurture and develop a Garifuna consciousness in their children.

6. To explore the use of Garifuna native skills for the purpose of preserving and disseminating their music, dance, story-telling (uraga), craftwork and cooking.

7. To establish and develop the Garifuna Culture & Language School and its curricula.

8. To foster involvement and participation in the observance and celebration of six major Garifuna events:

a. March 14, 1795 Chief Joseph Chatuye’s Memorial. He fought against the British for his people and was killed on this date.

b. April 12, 1797 Arrival of all Garinagu to Punta Gorda, Roatan in Honduras.

c. November 19, 1802 Garifuna Settlement Day in Belize

d. November 19, Garifuna Settlement Day in Nicaragua

e. November 26, 1802 Garifuna Settlement Day in Guatemala

f. May 18, 2001 UNESCO proclaimed the Garifuna Language, Music and Dance a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.