Garif

Garif is a historical term that refers to the Garifuna people, an Afro-Caribbean ethnic group originating from St. Vincent. The Garifuna are descendants of West African slaves who were shipwrecked or escaped from slave ships and intermarried with the indigenous Carib and Arawak peoples of the island. Following a period of conflict with British colonial forces in the late 18th century, the Garifuna were forcibly deported from St. Vincent in 1796 and resettled on the Caribbean coast of Central America. Today, their descendants are found in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and in diaspora communities, particularly in the United States.

The Garifuna language, Garifuna, is an Arawakan language with significant influences from African languages and some Spanish and English vocabulary. Their culture is renowned for its vibrant music, including punta, a popular dance music style, and its rich traditions in drumming, storytelling, and religious practices. Traditional Garifuna cuisine often features seafood, cassava, and coconut. The Garifuna have a strong sense of community and cultural identity, which they actively work to preserve and promote. In 2001, UNESCO recognized the Garifuna language, culture, and traditions as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.