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A painting of National Hero His Right Excellent Joseph Chatoyer was unveiled at a cocktail ceremony on Saturday, 16th March, 2024 at La Vue Hotel. The painting was done in honour of the Garifuna Homecoming 2024: Rights of Passage pilgrimage.

Speaking at the event Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Hon. Keisal Peters, said the presence of the Garifuna people in central America and other parts of the world is a reflection of the resilience and enduring spirit of the Garifuna people. "We are the resistance," she declared, "and we must never forget that this is the ancestral home of the Garifunas."

Minister of Tourism and Culture Honorable Carlos James, said the Rights of Passage pilgrimage can become an annual calendar event with packages and flights properly co-ordinated.

He added that further collaboration with the Ministers of Culture in Honduras, Belize, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines can yield even more opportunities for Garifuna to visit their ancestral homeland.

Counsul General Rondy McIntosh said these pilgrimages will be ongoing and the Garifuna community is considered part of the Vincentian diaspora. He added that when the acquisition of Balliceaux takes place, it will be a significant day in the history of the country and for Garifuna people all over the world.

 “There will be nothing subtle about it,” McIntosh said.

Throughout the event, remarks were shared by distinguished figures including Dr. Cadrine Gill of the Garifuna Heritage Rights of Passage and Pilgrimage, African Chief Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, Trevor Palacio, leader of the Rights of Passage and Pilgrimage, and Queen Mother Freda Sideroff, leader of the Yurumein Royal Delegation.

Highlighting the cultural vibrancy of the Garifuna heritage, special presentations were made by the SVG Drum Foundation and Garifuna warriors, showcasing the rich tapestry of music, dance, and tradition.

The event was attended by dignitaries, community leaders, and cultural enthusiasts to honor the ancestral heritage of the Garifuna people.

SOURCE: Agency For Public Information