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Garifuna (Black Carib)

Garifuna is an Arawakan language of Central America, spoken by more than 100,000 people in Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Belize. The Garifuna people are largely mixed-race (and frequently referred to as the Black Caribs)--their community is said to have originated because Carib tribes attacking Spanish ships in the 1600's accepted the African slaves they freed from them as comrades-at-arms. This alliance served both peoples very well, as the Africans were never re-enslaved and the Garifuna are one of the few Carib peoples to have survived as a distinct culture and with their native language thriving.



˜Garifuna Language
Garifuna language samples and resources.

˜Garifuna Tribe Culture and History
Information and links about the Garifuna Indians past and present.



˜Garifuna Language Resources –

Garifuna Words
     Our list of vocabulary words in the Garifuna language, with comparison to words in other Arawakan languages.
Human Rights: Garifuna:
    Translation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into the Garifuna language.
A Caribbean Vocabulary Compiled in 1666
     Comparison of 17th-century Carib vocabulary with modern Garifuna words.
The Garifuna Language, Dance and Music
     Article about Garifuna language and cultural endangerment in Belize.
Language Maps of Belize:
     Map showing the location of Garifuna and Belize Creole speakers.
Garifunas Placenames:
     Chart of Central American place names in Garifuna.



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