Garifuna Women Music Concert Helps Launch Bronx Music Hall

This Garifuna Women’s Concert took place on FRIDAY, October 25th 2024

.

.

Copyright 2025 by Teofilo Colon Jr (a.k.a. “Tio Teo”) for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved. Contact Tio Teo.

.

Bronx, New York — The Bronx Music Heritage Center, in conjuction with New York University’s Hemisphere Institute, presented a one of a kind Concert last Friday, October 25th 2024. Billed as The Garifuna Abeimahani Project Concert, The Evening featured Women’s Voices in Song, Poetry and Dance.

.

This Garifuna Women’s Music Concert was a rare instance where groups represented the entire Garifuna Diaspora. Well, the Mother Countries that make up the Garifuna Diaspora. Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras and St. Vincent/Yurumein were all represented and the Concert also served to softly launch The Bronx Music Hall on E. 163rd Street, reportedly the first brand new music performance venue to open in the Bronx in over 50 Years.

.

.

.In her opening remarks, Co-Artistic Director of The Bronx Music Heritage Center, Elena Martinez, stated that this Garifuna Abeimahani Project is working to document Women’s Voices in the Garifuna Community. Particularly the many roles Women play in Garifuna Arts and Culture Scene.

.

.

If you have found that anything Being #Garifuna has Published, Posted, Shared, Etc, over the past 15 Years has been Helpful, consider Donating to this Being Garifuna Gofundme Fundraiser Drive.

.

Abeimahani is Garifuna Women Acapella Singing and while this Concert is sort of billed as that, there was very little of that style of singing at this particular concert. Instead there were displays of the various styles of Garifuna Music known to listeners of the Music and Dance.

.

Click on the link to see this Unique Garifuna Women’s Concert. Below will be screenshots of various points in the Concert.

.

.

GAMAE Garifuna Performing Arts Company (BELIZE)

.

GAMAE Garifuna Performing Arts Company opened with a Medley of Garifuna Traditional Garifuna Songs.
.
The International Garifuna Anthem, Yurumein was sung, another song was performed and then the semi-sacred Dügü was sung and performed as they marched onto the stage.
.
Mrs. Eleanor Bullock, a Garifuna from Dangriga, Belize, and Artistic Director of The GAMAE Garifuna Performing Arts Company, explained to the Audience that they performed the HüngüHüngü Music Style.
.
GAMAE went on to perform and demonstrate the Chumba Rhythm/Dance, Paranda Rhythm/Dance and Punta Rhythm/Dance.

.

.

.

.

.

Ganigi (St. Vincent/Yurumein)

.

Ganigi, a Singer from St. Vincent and The Grenadines, is from Fancy, a village on the northern tip of St. Vincent Island. She sang Garifuna renditions of two songs.

.

The First song was “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” as translated from English into the Garifuna Language by Garifuna Music Artist and Activist, Mr. James Lovell. Entitled, Alugatina Tuagu Nuguchu (“I Miss my Mother” in the Garifuna Language), Ganigi’s rendition had an Operatic sound to it.

.

The second song was a Garifuna rendition of, You Raised Me Up” by Josh Groban. Again, translated from English into the Garifuna Language by Mr. James Lovell. “Bucha Tuagu” (“She’s Tired” in the Garifuna Language) also had an Operatic sound to it.

.

In deference to the Musical Theme of the Evening, the songs were performed Acapella. With no instruments.

.

.

.

Paula Castillo, Sofia Blanco and Group (GUATEMALA)

.

Paula Castillo is a Garifuna Singer from Livingston, Guatemala. She’s released 8 Albums over the course of her music career. Noted for being one of the few Women in Garifuna Music, Miss Paula Castillo has withstood the test of time and carved out quite a niche for herself.

.

In Miss Castillo’s group that evening, was Sofia Blanco, heralded singer from the Umalali: Garifuna Women’s Project Album. The group went on to perform their renditions of the Chumba Rhythm/Dance, HüngüHüngü Rhythm/Dance, Punta Rhythm/Dance and Paranda Rhythm/Dance.

.

During their set, Miss Paula Castillo pranced around the stage, singing, twirling and performing in her trademark Theatrical style. Her gestures reminded me of the Japanese Kabuki performing style while watching it.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Dixie Lalin (NICARAGUA)

.

Dixie Lalin, from Nicaragua, read the Poem, “Drums of My Father” in the Garifuna Language and alternatively offered an English Translation of the poem.

.

The Nicaraguan Garifuna Population is dramatically smaller than the rest of the Garifuna Populations in other countries.

.

I have come across a Nicaraguan or two in New York City over the years, but I have NEVER met a Nicaraguan Garifuna in New York City as of yet. So, it was a surprise to see Nicaraguan presence at this Garifuna Women’s Concert.

.

.

Wabafu Garifuna Dance Ensemble (HONDURAS)

.

Luz Soliz-Ramos and Catherine Ochun Soliz’s Wabafu Garifuna Dance Ensemble capped off the musical evening with a set that was alternatively entertaining and educational.

.

They opened their set with a performance of the Abeimahani Singing Style. With intertwined pinky fingers, alternatively bowing forward and leaning side to side while singing acapella, Luz Soliz-Ramos and a Woman started their set on the right foot.

.

They proceeded to perform the semi-sacred Dügü song. Catherine Ochun Soliz then spoke to the audience and explained that Luz Soliz-Ramos would perform a sketch called Hana (“Mortar” in the Garifuna Language). Hanas are used to make the staple Garifuna food, Hudutu (Mashed Plaintains).

.

The Company went on to perform the HüngüHüngü Rhythm/Dance, Chumba Rhythm/Dance, and Paranda Rhythm/Dance, which featured a guest singing performance by Pablo Garcia, who sang Malitei Nisien (“Worthless Love” in the Garifuna Language).

.

Finally, mostly everyone who performed all joined in for Singing and Dancing for the Finale of this Garifuna Women’s Concert.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.