November, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Lirahunu Ugundani: Preserving Garifuna Culture

Preserving Garifuna heritage honors their ancestors and keeps traditions, language, and stories alive for future generations. This cultural continuity helps to maintain a strong sense of identity and community. Garifuna culture is a unique blend of African, Arawak, and Carib influences, which enriches the cultural tapestry of Belize and the world. By maintaining their heritage, they contribute to the diversity and richness of global culture. It also fosters pride and resilience within the Garifuna community, empowering them to celebrate their history and achievements. Sharing indigenous traditions, music, dance, and language with others promotes cultural understanding and respect. It helps bridge gaps between different communities and fosters a more inclusive and harmonious society. In tonight’s edition of Kolcha Tuesday, News Five’s Isani Cayetano looks at the preservation of the Garifuna culture.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

As a couple, Mathew and Virgin Martinez have devoted their lives to keeping tradition alive and preserving the rich heritage of the Garifuna people. Together, they are the embodiment of Garifunaduo, a cultural experience that celebrates the language, music, dance, cuisine, attire, spirituality, and lifestyle of the Garifuna people.

Mathew Martinez, Cultural Activist

“It is a very powerful movement that we are experiencing at this particular point in time. It is a renaissance because a lot of people are now gravitating towards their cultural identity. We need to have more of that so we can strengthen, in order for us to strengthen the true Belizean identity.”

With so many people reconnecting with their cultural heritage these days, the Martinezes are at the heart of this movement. This dynamic husband-and-wife team and a group of passionate advocates are inspiring the next generation of Garifuna boys and girls. Among them is Angela Palacio.

Angela Palacio, Belize City Resident

“My parents were very proud Garinagu and they spoke Garifuna to us. So, even though back then it wasn’t popular to be Garifuna, they would try to ridicule you, but my parents, they said you have to be proud and they spoke Garifuna to us. Our friends would come and they would talk to us in Garifuna, and so, our friends knew we were Garifuna. We didn’t have to hide that.”

Back then, being Garifuna and celebrating the culture wasn’t widely accepted. It took a long time for Garifuna pride to truly flourish here in Belize City.

Mathew Martinez

“When we first moved to Belize City in the Eighties, there was still that prejudice, that discrimination, that whole thing about Garifuna, the mix, about people who are Garifuna, Garifunaduo itself. People were still ashamed of who they are.”

To nurture a strong sense of pride, they came together and created Ugundani, a dance group that still thrives today, almost four decades later. Naomi Guzman is the founder of that collective.

Naomi Guzman, Founder, Ugundani Dance Group

“When I founded Ugundani, it was with the idea that we continue to teach our Garifuna culture and keep the tradition and the traditional dancing, the traditional drumming because we found out that there were certain that take the Garifuna tradition into different directions. We are about keeping it the traditional way.”

Back in 2001, UNESCO honored Belize’s Garifuna language, dance, and music by declaring them a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.” This recognition celebrates the rich cultural tapestry and vibrant traditions of the Garifuna people.

Kamin Matura Jr., Participant, Lirahinu Ugundani

“It’s important to know about your culture and how to speak it, the cultural dances, the cultural traditions and everything that the culture does.”

To keep this cultural masterpiece alive, Ugundani is passing down each element to a group of children affectionately called Lirahinu Ugundani, or Children of Joy.

Joseph Williams, Participant, Lirahinu Ugundani

“I like the dancing and the drumming.”

Isani Cayetano

“You like the Wanaragua, or the John Canoe, right?”

Joseph Williams

“Yes.”

Isani Cayetano

“What about the Wanaragua do you like?”

Joseph Williams

“How to make a fast pace moving.”

Isani Cayetano

“So you like the drums, too?”

Joseph Williams

“Yes.”

Isani Cayetano

“What about the drums do you like?”

Joseph Williams

“I like the sounding of it.”

The timbre of the primero and Segundo are unmistakable. Together, the polyrhythms of the Garifuna drums are indeed a spiritual experience. What makes Wanaragua truly special is that the dancers take the lead, with the drummers following their rhythm. This unique dynamic creates an engaging and lively performance that captivates everyone watching. However, dancing is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to reviving and preserving our culture. There’s so much more involved in keeping these rich traditions alive.

Mathew Martinez

“It is a powerful start. With the children, they are interested in whatever we do, in the language, especially, in the music, in the dance, they are interested. So hopefully now, we will be moving into the history of the Garifuna people. So we will be teaching that, hopefully next year, we start that in January.”

Isani Cayetano for News Five.

Minister Habet to Represent Belize at COP 29

COP29 is in full swing in Azerbaijan, and it’s all about setting new goals for climate finance and making sure every country can ramp up their climate action. Belize has been sending its top technical experts and government officials to these conferences for years, and this year is no exception. We caught up with the Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet, who is gearing up to head out on Friday to join the action at COP29.

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development

“In this case I have not been able to go. I had to stay for this house meeting, so I will be leaving on Friday. The last week is when most of the negotiations will reach the stage when it cant go further based on the negotiators then they will call in the high level which will be the ministers or the prime ministers if they are there. So, my responsibility, apart from Belize, is that I have been selected to championing the cause for AOSIS and CARICOM and CARICOM is also considered the small island developing states, so we are members of AOSIS. So, our jobs would be to still seek out the possibility of advancing the NCQG to see how we can upscale the finances coming through for climate change and make certain that we try to get as much as possible. As you realized their past finance goal was a hundred billion per year, now countries are saying that is not enough, we have taken too long, so we are trying to see how else we can do it.”

Why was Policeman’s Residence in Corozal Shot

Late Monday night, a police officer’s home in Corozal Town came under fire, and an investigation is underway to uncover the motive behind the shooting. According to a report, gunmen targeted a vehicle parked at Corporal Martin Marin’s residence. The incident occurred sometime before midnight on Jaguar Street in the Finca Solana area. Corporal Marin reported that he was getting ready for bed when he heard four loud bangs, which he immediately recognized as gunshots. Rushing outside, he saw a motorcycle speeding away and noticed that a Jeep Cherokee, belonging to Inspector Kimara Lopez, had been hit on the front windshield. The white Jeep was parked in the yard at the time. Another bullet struck the front screen door of the house. Crime scene technicians recovered several nine-millimeter shell casings from the street, but it’s unclear if any surveillance cameras captured the shooters. So far, no arrests have been made, and the reason for targeting the residence remains unknown.

House Supports Bill for Legal Marriage Age to Be 18

Today in the House, bill number ten was up for its second reading. This bill aims to amend the Marriage Act, Chapter 174 of the laws of Belize, revised edition 2020, to raise the legal marriage age to eighteen. It also removes the provisions that allow parents or guardians to consent to the marriage of minors. The second reading saw several teens in attendance, many of whom participated in the 2022 Youth Parliament Debate. While the bill sets the legal age for marriage at eighteen, it eliminates the ability for anyone to allow, perform, or consent to the marriage of individuals under eighteen, whether for traditional reasons or otherwise. The bill received support from representatives on both sides of the aisle. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Minister of Human Development

“Madam Speaker last year it was unprecedented but something very good happened in this country when our young people were able to meet in the Youth Parliament in November, so it was about a year ago, to propose and to pass their own Marriage Amendment Bill. I would like to mention that the Opposition side were even proposing that the age of marriage be raised to twenty-one.”

Marion Ali, Reporting

About a year ago, the teens in the Youth Parliament passed a bill to set the legal marriage age in Belize at eighteen. Minister Dolores Balderamos-Garcia explained that this proposed law gained overwhelming support from various sectors, including the churches. She highlighted that while child marriage and unions impact both boys and girls, the consequences are often more severe for girls.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia

“The major burden, Madam Speaker is on girls because it prematurely exposes them to health risks of early childbirth or unwanted pregnancies and related complications, and it increases their risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It also increases a child’s vulnerability to domestic violence and as well Madam Speaker, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.”

In making her presentation, Balderamos-Garcia explained why increasing the legal age of marriage is the right thing for Belize.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia

“Madam Speaker, moving to the adulthood age for marriage is a good thing to do because marriage is a contract. I have said it before, no disrespect to any church leader whatsoever, but I have said that you’re married not because you went to church, but because you signed a binding contract which I believe only adults should be able to do. So I put it to this House this afternoon that ending child marriages and early unions will have a positive multiplier effect on promoting all our strategies for gender equity and equality in Belize. I believe that the strong consensus in favour of raising the legal marriage age to eighteen years is a good thing and I therefore make my contribution and I urge others to do the same.”

News Fives caught up with two of the youth parliamentarians who attended today’s house sitting to witness the passage of the bill. Victoria Usher made Centro Escolar Mexico Junior College proud with her impressive representation at the Youth Parliament. Carlos Nah also shone brightly, bringing honor to Corozal Junior College with his participation.

Carlos Nah, Student, Corozal Junior College

“For me this issue is really impactful to see the brilliant minds that we had last year. And it’s very inspiring because we are the future generation of Belize. And when we heard about this bill, we never knew anything about it and when we were doing the research, they barely had limited information. So thanks to this movement that we did recently, I did an essay about it, and I really was inspired by looking at the new research that they had this year. And I’m really inspired because the little impact that we did is already changing a movement.”

Victoria Usher, Student, Centro Escolar Mexico Junior College

“Coming into a marriage at an early age can cause different situations, possibly girls dropping out of school, even the males dropping out of schools. Many people think that it only affects the females. No, it also affects the males.”

Following the Minister’s presentation, she told the media that today’s passing of the bill was simply building on the foundation that the youths had already laid for themselves.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia

“We have only carried forward what they presented to us a year ago in November and it was a robust discussion and debate in Parliament for the Youth Parliament. Well, like I said, I call it Children’s Parliament, but I prefer to say youth, you know. This is all about them and big, big kudos to every single one of the youth parliamentarians today.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Corazon Creek Gets 24-Hour Solar Electrification

On Monday, the village of Corazon Creek in Toledo celebrated the launch of its brand-new off-grid solar system with an official ceremony. This cutting-edge setup features advanced solar photovoltaic panels, a control room equipped with inverters, a generator, and a battery bank system. This project stems from an agreement made last September between the Ministry of Energy and Corazon Creek Village. Funded by the German-based CDW Foundation, this initiative saw the installation of the generation unit and the wiring of homes. News Five’s Marion Ali reports on this exciting new step towards solar electrification.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Corazon Creek Village in Toledo is now enjoying round-the-clock electricity, all thanks to a state-of-the-art Off-grid Solar System funded by the German-based CDW Foundation. Jose Urbina, the C.E.O. in the Ministry of Energy, highlighted that the government recognizes the importance of bringing electricity to rural areas to boost economic growth and drive other advancements.

Jose Urbina, C.E.O., Ministry of Energy

“Our government has recognized the need to extend reliable energy access to rural communities directly impacting economic opportunities, education and quality of life. As a team, we have been able to overcome challenges traditionally associated with rural electrification, such as geographic isolation, high infrastructure cost and low population density. I must say from earlier discussion with the chairman, sixty-five homes, a population of approximately three hundred and sixty-five persons have been impacted. But it’s important to also mentioned as our Honorable Minister mentioned, that Corazon Creek is the hub. Approximately, if I recall the number correctly, fifteen other communities come to Corazon for educational purposes.”

The CDW Foundation’s work in Belize began in 2016, when it supported the first solar off-grid system in La Gracia Village in Cayo. The organization’s Managing Director, Sarah Link, explained that the work has only expanded.

Sarah Link, Managing Director, CDW Foundation

“By the end of 2023, an additional thirty households had applied to be connected to the solar system, prompting an expansion of that system earlier this year to support the growing energy demand. It is therefore with great anticipation that we are here today to witness the inauguration of the second solar system. I very much look forward to seeing the impact of reliable access to electricity on the daily life in the village, and the opportunities it will bring to Corazon Creek and the surrounding communities. Back in 2021, the Ministry of Public Utilities and Belize Electricity Limited had recognized the strong need of the community for reliable access to energy, especially given the high school, which already currently serves over four hundred students. Both had recommended that the second solar system be installed right here in Corazon Creek.”

The new solar system now powers Corazon Creek Village and its surrounding areas, but it wasn’t an easy journey. The Ministry of Public Utilities had to reach a consensus and finally signed an agreement with the village on September seventh, 2023, setting the stage for this electrification project. Together with Belize Electricity Limited and Solar Energy Solutions Belize, the ministry installed the solar power unit, built the distribution network, and wired the homes. Dr. Osmond Martinez, the Area Representative for Toledo East, emphasized that electrification is a crucial step towards lifting people out of poverty by creating more opportunities for his constituents.

Dr. Osmond Martinez, Area Representative, Toledo East

“The kids who are attending primary school and high school will no longer be deprived from having access to energy whenever they want to do their homework or study at night. What electricity brings is a package. It’s a package because then you can bring telephone, internet, even industrial development, manufacturing, you know, but without electricity, we won’t be able to do that. I am so glad whenever we see this type of transformation. This is a transformation. This is people’s transformation. This is a nonpolitical transformation. This is what a government should be doing for its people.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Is NTUCB a Better Option for K.H.M.H. Board?

Last week, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union (K.H.M.H.A.W.U.) sat down with the Prime Minister to discuss a proposed amendment to the K.H.M.H. Act. This change would have replaced the union’s representative on the hospital’s board of governors with someone from the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (N.T.U.C.B.). After some pushback from the union, the government agreed to let the union nominate two candidates, from which one would be chosen for the board. However, in an interview on Monday, Health Minister Kevin Bernard mentioned that he hadn’t been updated on the final decision and still supported the idea of appointing the N.T.U.C.B. representative. Here’s what he had to say.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness

“The KHMH union represents the workers, they have been tasked with the, in fact the union representative who sits on the board and I will not go to my own personal perceptional views of Mister Baird that’s, that’s outside of this, has been given umpteen times to come up with a CBA that will best approach the issues that the workers and the employees of KHMH that falls under the union have been clamoring for. We have not gotten at a single document to propose to the board.”

Reporter

“So it’s decided that he will be changed out now that you’re not going forward with that amendment?”

Kevin Bernard

“Well it’s not that he will be changed out. The KHMH Union suggests a member, I am the Minister of Health, to appoint members to the KHMH governing body Then they make their suggestions and if we feel that this suggestion that they are suggesting, I have received a letter that Mr. Alain Gonzalez is now going to be their representative to the board. However, we, I have not made any appointment of that nature yet because we are at the process where we were making an amendment. I still personally feel that The best approach is to put a member appointed by the NTUCB, but who is not a member of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Union. There’s many reasons for that. It’s to avoid conflicts and to also ensure that there’s wider representation from the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, who will also have a higher, a better voice, not only for the union members, but for every employee that is, that works under the Carl Huston Mural Hospital. I know that it has come out of House committee. We have not made a final decision as to whether we will proceed with this. We will look at and listen to the concerns and from there we will take it from there.”

Reporter

“The NTUCB president said though that you were backtracking after the meeting with the PM and the Minister of Public Service.”

Kevin Bernard

“Like I said I saw that they had a meeting with the prime minister, that we are going to cabinet today to do a follow up on that same discussion. So I will leave it at that.”

K.H.M.H.A.W.U. Representative to be Placed on Hospital’s Board

On Monday, Health Minister Kevin Bernard shared his view that a representative from the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (N.T.U.C.B.) would be the ideal choice to represent the unions on the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital’s board of governors, instead of someone from the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union. However, he later mentioned that a compromise had been reached: the government and the union agreed to nominate two KHMHAWU members, with one being selected for the board. Earlier today, we spoke with N.T.U.C.B. President Luke Martinez, who confirmed that the Prime Minister’s decision is final, and the matter is no longer up for debate. Here’s what he had to say.

Luke Martinez, President. N.T.U.C.B.

“In my view, we’re beyond we’re beyond this conversation. I don’t think that we should be having this conversation. The National Trade Union and Congress met with the prime minister, as we’re all aware last week, and we discuss several issues, including the amendment to the KHMH Union Act. And we had come to a compromise or an agreement that the KHMH Union would have an opportunity to nominate two of their members. And the government would appoint one out of them. I think that I don’t know why. where we’re still having this conversation. And I don’t know that decision has been moved, no? So that is where we are in my view. Most of these boards they whether government or statutory they have a tripartite structure, meaning government representative, workers representative, and private sector representative. And so the National Trade Union Congress forms a part of the tripartite structure or the respective union in some of these establishments, for example, KHMH, the collective bargaining rights is that is with the KHMH union, and they would form a part of the collective bargaining structure on the part of that tribe, right? That structure, and so all they were saying is that they wanted to keep it that way.”

Health Minister Defends GOB’s Drug Act Amendment

Last month, the Government of Belize overhauled the old Food and Drug registration, licensing, and inspection regulations, introducing new laws to better oversee pharmaceutical products. Amid these legislative changes, the Ministry of Health’s Chief Drug Inspector resigned to join the private sector. Tonight, Health Minister Kevin Bernard confirmed that a new health inspector is being considered for the role. He also explained how the drug inspection unit has been working diligently to ensure that essential medicines remain available in Belize.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness

“You have seen where our drug inspectorate unit our inspectors have been out. If it was not because of them, we would not have been able to pick up on many of these issues that we’ve seen. We have won cases where we have seen contraband medications coming in, where we have seized, and we work very closely with the Customs and Police Department. And that just proves that work has been going on by that unit. We are serious when it comes to ensuring that the pharmaceuticals, the medications that are coming into this country is of standard. And that’s one of the reasons why our people go out and do constant investigations, constant review of facilities across the country, private and public. And we need to ensure that this is safety of our people. To say that this amendment to the drug act that we are proposing is going to allow these pharmaceutical companies to do the same thing or more, that is not we’re trying to strengthen it. We’re trying to bring in more penalties to ensure that we do not see the repeat of these type of things. If you look at the act completely, it speaks of many regulations it’s a draft at this point in time I was able to take it to commit for approval and then it goes through the necessary. Process of farther content. No, remember this entire bill was had several consultations done across the various sectors of the and we need to ensure that we’re following international regulations set out by the WHO and other agencies. And so we have developed this bill to ensure for the safety of our people and for proper regulations to take place.”

Health Minister Addresses Investigations at Southern Regional Hospital

Recently, the Southern Regional Hospital staff found themselves under scrutiny due to an investigation into the misappropriation of funds. Police have arrested accounts clerk Thalia Gillett for misusing funds. Additionally, in October, custodian Lyndon Parham was charged with sexual assault after allegedly kissing his unconscious boss at the hospital. Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard reassures the public that these incidents have been thoroughly investigated and proper protocols followed. He emphasizes that the hospital’s reputation should not be tarnished by these isolated events.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness

“When I got the report, I got the call we started the investigation. I asked the CEO to look into the matter and we found that there were some improperties done at the Southern Regional Hospital however I cannot speak to the issue because it’s in the, it’s going to be in the court and so I don’t want to divulge anything at this point in time that will. In terms of this case, we are going, all I’m saying is that we did our investigation. It’s matter now in the hands of the police who will take the matter to the court. And from there, then we can provide a better response.”

Reporter

“But as the Minister of Health, can you talk to us about what’s going down in Dangriga? We actually had a case of sexual assault coming from that hospital as well. Most recently, are you guys concerned about the culture down at the southern regional?”

Kevin Bernard

“It’s an unfortunate situation that occurred, but you cannot say this is a culture at the Southern Regional. You’re putting everybody in the same wrong shoe. That’s wrong to say that, man. And you need to correct that. I do not agree that we can put every one of our health people, health professionals that are working hard to improve health outcomes in this country, in the shoe of somebody who made us a terrible, grave error. That is another matter that is going before the necessary processes. It is. As if a person is permanently employed, he has to go to the commission. We will not hold back on any investigation of anything, anybody doing any wrongdoing. I’ve said this from the very beginning. We will go through the processes that has to be followed, but we do it by the rule of law.”

House Speaker Shares Cancer Diagnosis

Speaker of the House of Representatives Valerie Woods told the House today that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She said that her ability to preside over parliamentary sessions might be impacted in the coming weeks due to the recent diagnosis.

While Woods emphasised her commitment to fulfilling her duties, she expressed hope that members would understand if she needed to be absent to undergo treatment.

With gratitude for their understanding, she continued with the session, calling for the vote. “All those in favor, kindly say aye. Those against, kindly say no. I think the ayes have it.”

This is a developing story.