Dangriga
Encyclopedia
Dangriga, formerly known as Stann Creek Town, is a town
in southern Belize
, located on the Caribbean
coast at the mouth of Stann Creek. It is the capital of Belize's Stann Creek District
and also the largest town in southern Belize. It is served by the Dangriga Airport
.
. For years it was the second largest population centre in the country behind Belize City
, but in recent years has been surpassed by Orange Walk Town
. Since the early 1980s Garífuna culture has undergone a revival, as part of which the town was renamed Dangriga, a Garífuna word meaning "standing waters".
and Mestizos. According to the 2010 Population and Housing Census, Dangriga's population is 9,096 residents, 4,410 males and 4,686 females. The total number of households is 2,562 and the average household size is 3.6.
, originated and where some of Belize's folk bands can be found.
In November each year there is a week long festivity leading up to Garifuna Settlement Day, attended by Garifuna people from around the region. It includes a torchlit parade and wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of the patriot and social activist Thomas Vincent Ramos
, selection of Miss Garifuna, parades and special church services, and the The T.V. Ramos Classic Bike Race.
The 19th of November is Garifuna Settlement Day.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in southern Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
, located on the Caribbean
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
coast at the mouth of Stann Creek. It is the capital of Belize's Stann Creek District
Stann Creek District
Stann Creek District is a district in the south east region of Belize. According to the 2010 census, the district had a population of 32,166 people...
and also the largest town in southern Belize. It is served by the Dangriga Airport
Dangriga Airport
Dangriga Airport is an airport just to the north of Dangriga, Belize....
.
History
Dangriga was settled before 1832 by Garinagu (Black Caribs, as they were known to the British) from HondurasHonduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
. For years it was the second largest population centre in the country behind Belize City
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in the Central American nation of Belize. Unofficial estimates place the population of Belize City at 70,000 or more. It is located at the mouth of the Belize River on the coast of the Caribbean. The city is the country's principal port and its financial and...
, but in recent years has been surpassed by Orange Walk Town
Orange Walk Town
Orange Walk Town is the second largest town in the nation of Belize, with a population of about 13,400 . It is the capital of the Orange Walk District...
. Since the early 1980s Garífuna culture has undergone a revival, as part of which the town was renamed Dangriga, a Garífuna word meaning "standing waters".
Demographics
The population is mostly a mixture of Garinagu, KriolsBelizean Kriol people
The Belizean Creoles, locally known as Kriols, are Creole descendants of English and Scottish log cutters, as well as Black African slaves brought to Belize. Other small minorities include Creoles and the Miskito from Nicaragua, Jamaicans, and other West Indians who assisted in the logging...
and Mestizos. According to the 2010 Population and Housing Census, Dangriga's population is 9,096 residents, 4,410 males and 4,686 females. The total number of households is 2,562 and the average household size is 3.6.
Culture
Dangriga is home to the Garifuna, a cultural and ethnic group, descendants of shipwrecked slaves and native Caribs. The Garifuna have adopted the Carib language but kept their African musical and religious traditions. Dangriga is also where the Caribbean music, Punta RockPunta rock
Punta rock or Belizean punta is a form of the traditional punta rhythm of the Garifuna people of Honduras, Belize and Guatemala.Punta rock is distinctive from traditional punta in that the language and concepts are more adapted to the general Belizean identity...
, originated and where some of Belize's folk bands can be found.
In November each year there is a week long festivity leading up to Garifuna Settlement Day, attended by Garifuna people from around the region. It includes a torchlit parade and wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of the patriot and social activist Thomas Vincent Ramos
Thomas Vincent Ramos
Thomas Vincent Ramos was a Belizean civil rights activist who promoted the interests of his Garifuna people, and is now considered a national hero.-Background:...
, selection of Miss Garifuna, parades and special church services, and the The T.V. Ramos Classic Bike Race.
The 19th of November is Garifuna Settlement Day.
Attractions
- Cockscomb Basin Wildlife SanctuaryCockscomb Basin Wildlife SanctuaryThe Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is a nature reserve in south-central Belize established to protect the forests, fauna and watersheds of an approximately 400 square kilometre area of the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains...
, located southwest of Dangriga. - Mayflower Archeological Reserve, consisting of three ruins, two waterfalls and a view of Hopkins village as well as of the Caribbean SeaCaribbean SeaThe Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
.
Notable residents
- Arlie PettersArlie PettersArlie Oswald Petters, MBE isa Belizean American mathematical physicist, who is the Benjamin Powell Professor andProfessor of Mathematics, Physics, and Business Administration at Duke University....
, mathematician and astrophysicist - Pen CayetanoPen CayetanoDelvin "Pen" Cayetano is a Belizean artist and musician living in Germany 1990-2009. He and his German wife Ingrid returned to Dangriga in July 2009 and they openend the Pen Cayetano Studio Gallery 1...
, artist and musician residing in Germany. Originator of Punta Rock.