Gulisi Garifuna Museum in Dangriga

November 17, 2022
by Belize Hub +

The Garifuna are a unique culture that formed some 400 years ago when African slaves imported into the Caribbean intermarried with local Arawak and Carib people. After engaging in several uprisings against the British on the island of St. Vincent, the Garifuna were forced to flee, arriving en masse on the shores of Belize in 1802. The Gulisi Garifuna Museum is dedicated to showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Garifuna people.

Why You Have to Visit the Gulisi Garifuna Museum in Dangriga On Your Vacation

Founded in 1984, shortly after gaining independence from Great Britain, the Gulisi Garifuna Museum is named for one of the heroes of the Garifuna’s flight across the Caribbean. Gulisi was the name of a single mother with 13 children who founded the village of Punta Negra (in today’s Toledo District) after escaping persecution from the British and a lengthy trek across the Caribbean.

Today, the museum has multiple interactive exhibits on the Garifuna culture, including traditional drumming, Garifuna spiritual beliefs, a living full-size garden with traditional herbs and plants, and traditional dancing. There is also a special exhibition dedicated to showcasing some of the most famous musicians in Belize who were of Garifuna descent. In 2001, UNESCO declared that the Garifuna language, music and dance were invaluable contributions to the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Where in Belize Is the Gulisi Garifuna Museum Located?

The museum is located two miles outside of Dangriga in Belize’s southeastern Stann Creek District. The museum’s only official address is Chuluhadiwa Park but there are signs pointing to it as it lies just adjacent to the Hummingbird Highway.

Advertisment

When Is the Best Time to Visit the Gulisi Garifuna Museum in Dangriga Belize

The museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Monday through Friday and from Saturday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM (noon) except for national holidays. Entrance fee is $5 USD for non-residents and BZ$5 for residents and locals.

Best Way to Get to the Gulisi Garifuna Museum

The museum is located right off the Hummingbird Highway approximately two miles outside of Dangriga near Chuluhadiwa Park.

Best Way to Experience the Gulisi Garifuna Museum in Dangriga

A guided tour comes with the price of admission. Enjoy learning about the rich contributions of Garifuna culture to the fabric of life in Belize, including a special exhibition on the musician Andy Palacio.