Main areas of work related to the Convention:
Garinagu DUNDEI has been actively engaged in a multitude of activities since its foundation in 2015 under the Departmental Directorate of Education of Izabal (see registered act number 014 2015 dated April 6, annexed). Garinagu DUNDEI is the sole consultative entity in the municipality of Livingston, Izabal, authorized to create, evaluate, and approve materials related to the Garifuna worldview, including books, texts, brochures, printed or digital materials, and research.
In 2024, Garinagu DUNDEI presented a draft law initiative to establish the Garifuna Language Academy. This proposal was submitted on July 04 2024 to the Ministry of Culture and Sports and the Academy of Mayan Languages, the governing body for Guatemala’s national languages. The draft is currently under review by the Ministry, aiming to formalize and institutionalize the preservation and promotion of the Garifuna language within the national framework.
Garinagu DUNDEI is also a member of the High-Level Technical Table, an advisory body established by the Ministerial Office of Culture and Sports. This platform includes collaboration with the Departmental Governor and the Commissioner of CODISRA (the Presidential Commission Against Discrimination and Racism against Indigenous Peoples in Guatemala). Here, Garinagu DUNDEI advocates for policies that protect indigenous rights and promote linguistic and cultural diversity.
Beyond advocacy and consultation, Garinagu DUNDEI is actively involved in numerous cultural, spiritual, and educational initiatives throughout the year. These include organizing traditional Garifuna ceremonies, such as ancestral rites, the Yurumein (re-enactment of Garifuna arrival), as well as hosting language workshops, music and dance festivals, and community forums to strengthen Garifuna identity. Educational outreach programs also include partnering with local schools to introduce Garifuna heritage into their curricula and mentoring youth in traditional crafts, storytelling, and environmental stewardship.
Objectives
DUNDEI is a non-profit organization established in 2015 with the aim of strengthening the Garifuna identity and promoting intercultural dialogue between the Garifuna people and the multiethnic Guatemalan society.
Through the rescue of knowledge, the practice of Garifuna culture and language, the dissemination of our history, and our worldview in all its manifestations, we raise awareness of and safeguard our intangible cultural heritage while promoting the continuation of Garifuna education.
Specific Objectives
• We assist non-governmental and governmental entities on issues related to Garifuna intangible cultural heritage and promote research in all relevant areas.
• We reflect upon and respond to the characteristics, needs, and aspirations of the multilingual, multiethnic, and multicultural Guatemalan society, strengthening Garifuna identity as a basis for unity in diversity.
• We contribute to the systematization of the oral tradition of the Garifuna people as a foundation for endogenous strengthening, which supports both individual and collective growth and fosters improved external relationships.
• We assist the Ministry of Education in its efforts to implement intercultural and bilingual education at the national level, serving as a consultative resource to help achieve its goals.
We safeguard, promote, and develop traditional Garifuna values of pluralism and respect for individuals and peoples, recognizing their unique social, ideological, religious, and political differences
Cooperation
The first forms of learning in the worldview and philosophy of the Garinagu involve becoming part of the community and actively participating in its spiritual and cultural expressions. Therefore, there is an endless number of activities throughout the annual calendar, and each member duly registered in the association is or has been involved in local groups, brotherhoods, or associations related to the Garifuna worldview. These diverse experiences significantly enrich our linguistic discussions and cultural understanding.
For example, we play a vital role in the celebration of November 26, National Garifuna Settlement Day in Guatemala. This celebration is a time to honor and give thanks to our ancestors—both those who successfully reached our coast and those who did not. Activities include traditional drumming, singing ancestral songs, storytelling sessions, and performing ceremonial rituals to express gratitude and strengthen community bonds.
We are also deeply engaged in organizing the traditional Garifuna Wanaragua dance held in Livingston, as well as celebrations for the brotherhoods of San Isidro Labrador, San Miguel, and San Rafael.These activities typically include dancing, preparations for ceremonial attire, and coordinating feasts and communal gatherings.
Our contributions extend to preserving and promoting various spiritual expressions. We ensure the correct implementation of traditional practices, including dance, language, and music, maintaining their authenticity and significance.
Additionally, we collect and practice ancient Garifuna songs, which are essential for revitalizing lost language terms. By documenting these songs and their meanings, we aim to preserve them for future generations, enabling their reuse in cultural revitalization efforts and systematic language education. All these efforts form the foundation for safeguarding our intangible cultural heritage, ensuring its continuity and vitality in the years to come.
