15 hours ago
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The Warasa Garifuna Drum School in Punta Gorda is offering free summer drum classes for young people as part of an initiative to preserve and promote Belize’s Garifuna cultural heritage. The program is being facilitated by Ronald McDonald. The initiative is divided into two sessions. The first, which runs from July 6th to July 10th, is open to children between the ages of 10 and 15 and focuses on traditional Garifuna drumming. The second session, from July 13th through July 17th, is for participants between the ages of 16 and 20 and will include both drum lessons and hands-on drum-making instruction. Classes are held daily from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and organizers say the workshops are free of charge.
Ronald McDonald, Summer Program Facilitator: “I’m a drummer since I was 12 years old. I’ve played in many countries, cities worldwide, England, Scotland, to name a few, you know? And this is something I do, this is something I love and I want to share it with anybody and everybody who wants to learn. We provide all drums as we make them as well, you know? So we have enough drums for all the participants that come. We are located in the Saint Vincent Block, Cerro Road, Punta Gorda, that’s going down to the BDF camp. And we’re right on the main so we have a sign in front as well. As you can see, a big sign in the back and well, you can’t miss us.”
McDonald say the program is designed to teach young people the art of traditional Garifuna drumming and help preserve the culture for future generations. Garifuna drumming remains an important part of the community’s music and ceremonies. In 2001, UNESCO recognized the Garifuna people’s language, dance and music as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.
English (US) ·