Dangriga

History

Dangriga, declared a town 15 February 1895, was settled before 1832 by Garinagu (Black Caribs, as they were known to the British) from Honduras. For years, it was the second largest population centre in the country behind Belize City, but in recent years has been surpassed by San Ignacio, Belmopan and Orange Walk Town. Since the early 1980s, Garífuna culture has undergone a revival, as part of which the town's name of Dangriga, a Garífuna word meaning "standing waters", became more widely used (but was initially adopted around 1975).

Demographics

The population is mostly a mixture of Garinagu, Kriols and Mestizos. According to the Statistical Institute of Belize, Dangriga's population in 2010 was 8,767 – 4,302 males and 4,465 females.

Culture

Dangriga is home to the Garifuna, a cultural and ethnic group, descendants of shipwrecked captives and native Caribs. The Garifuna have adopted the Carib language but kept their African musical and religious traditions, while holding a central place in the history of the Catholic church and Catholic education in Belize. Dangriga is also where the Caribbean music, Punta Rock, originated and where some of Belize's folk bands can be found.

In November, each year, there is a week-long festivity leading up to Garifuna Settlement Day, attended by Garifuna people from around the region. It includes a torchlit parade and wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of the patriot and social activist Thomas Vincent Ramos, selection of Miss Garifuna, parades and special church services, and The T.V. Ramos Classic Bike Race.

The 19 November is Garifuna Settlement Day.

Attractions

• Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, located southwest of Dangriga.
• Mayflower Archeological Reserve, consisting of three ruins, two waterfalls and a view of Hopkins village as well as of the Caribbean Sea.
• Dangriga is also a mainland access point to popular cayes in Southern Belize, including Tobacco Caye and Royal Belize.

Healthcare

The city is served by Southern Regional Hospital.

Notable residents

• Arlie Petters, mathematician and astrophysicist
• Pen Cayetano, artist and musician residing in Germany. Originator of Punta Rock.
• Maxime Faget, designer of the Mercury capsule, and contributed to the later Gemini and Apollo spacecraft as well as the Space Shuttle.
• T. V. Ramos, Garifuna civil rights activist from Puerto Cortez, Honduras.
• Osmond P. Martin, first native Belizean Catholic bishop.
• Rakeem Nuñez-Roches, American football player for the New York Giants

References

Gallery

File:Grigadan.JPG|Dangriga main street File:Grigadan3.JPG|Garifuna Gulisi Museum File:Grigadan2.JPG|"Drums of Our Fathers" Monument Belize-dangriga.jpg|Dangriga, Belize Streets of Dangriga

References

1. (2013). "Belize Population and Housing Census 2010". Statistical Institute of Belize.
2. (December 2016). "Mid-Year Population Estimates by Area and Sex 2008 - 2015". Statistical Institute of Belize.
3. "Belize: Districts, Towns & Villages - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information".
4. [http://www.belize.com/stann-creek Stann Creek Belize - Home Of Culture Capital Dangriga], Belize.com. (accessed 21 June 2015)
5. "City of Dangriga, Belize - Yahoo! Travel".
6. "Statistics 2010".
7. Harry S. Pariser. (1998). "Explore Belize". Harry S. Pariser.
8. "Celebrating Garifuna Day". San Pedro Sun.
9. (November 26, 2014). "Nunez-Roches helps others". Hattiesburg American.