Garifuna Culture

Although being Garifuna is what I was mostly raised to be, I yearned to find what fully makes up my identity. Garifuna people have their own way of life and a very distinct style like no other . My dad, currently president of San Jose de la Punta, says “ Ser Garífuna es comer machuca, hablar Garifuna (para los jovenes, enetender el idoma aunque un poquito), y bailar punta.” (translation: Being Garifuna is eating machuca, speaking Garifuna (for the young people understanding the language even if it’s just a little), and dancing punta. Machuca is typical dish of the Garifuna people consisting of coconut soup with fish, shrimp, conch, and sometimes crab or lobster accompanied by a side of mashed plantains. The Garifuna language is an Arawakan
I had been looking forward to the event since before I even started attending Marist. I felt like I have been getting closer and closer to finding my identity as a Marist student and the importance of having pride for being Afro- Latina at Marist. Mon Afrique was one of the best events I have ever attended in my life and has made me excited to see what’s in store for my next three years at Marist. Going to such a close minded school helps me even more to see the brighter side to the future of Marist. It also inspires me to promote change and equality for all students. Identifying as Afro- Latina has it pros and cons especially at a school like Marist. On the one hand, you will always stand out, be given opportunities that you wouldn’t be given otherwise, and you help diversify on the school. On the other hand, you struggle to fit in, act as if certain looks don’t deceive you, and have to deal with the un-educatedness of shallow, close-minded people. As if it isn’t hard enough already just to understand who you are as a being in terms of personal identity. Somehow, someway I managed to feel connected to Marist through the cultural events I attended. It allowed me to see that I have the power to make the change I want to see happen on this campus. I have the power to make people understand understand personal identity in a way that will truly make them reevaluate their entire life. Even in writing this paper, is a start to change on this campus, my campus. All of the events I attended, in general have made me a better person and student representation for minority group, but most importantly have allowed me to understand more of what being Afro- Latina is all about so that I can spread