Izabal

Izabal`s Tradition:

In Izabal since October 14, 1974
the departmental holiday takes place on May 14 to May 21
in honor to El Sagrado Corazon de Jesus
that is the patronsaint on this place.

BROTHERWOOD:
The Garifuna people are the most dominate group in the coast area,
and a big part of them practice the catholic religion
and for this reason,they make the Garifuna`s Brotherwood,

The Garifuna people for celebrate the departmental holiday
have to collect money in a raffle
and some people make donations (with money orcostumes)
or contributions (for example they give the place or food or the fireworks free)
In this holiday they pray and then they get together with their relatives.

GARIFUNA`SDANCE:
The place in where they make the Garifuna`s Dance is specially in Livingston.

The most popular and important dances for the holiday are:
El Yancunú and El Jungujugu,
butare others like: El Sambai, La Samba and La Punta.

For The Yancunù Dance History I can say:

That is a Warrior Dance with costumes and a woman`s mask.
This dance is only for“mens” with costumes,
but that don`t mean that sometimes, it could be dance for womans

This dance is in honor for a fact that taken place on the 17 Century,
when the Englishmantaken the place in the Roatàn Island,
and the Garifuna people used costumes like woman
to take back the place, in a memorable warrior.

For the Jungujugu Dance I say:

That is aritual for excellence for the Garifuna people.
It is similar to the Haitian Chugu.

The Jungujugu Dance is a collective and spontaneous dance
with drums and rattles makes bythemselves.

And the Punta Dance is the most popular in this case.

The Q`eqchi` people makes the Deer Dance, Tun Dance and the Cortez Dance in Livingston but specially in El Estor.