Garifuna music


Garifuna music is a type of music found in Central America, primarily on the Caribbean coast of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
Garifuna music and dance are closely related. The main traditional instruments are drums and maracas.
Drums play an important role in Garifuna music. The main drum is the Segunda. The drums are normally made by hollowing out logs and stretching antelope skin over them.
There are certain types of songs that are associated with work, some with play, some with dance and some that are reserved for prayer or ritual use.
Two main Garifuna genres are punta and paranda.
In 2001, Garifuna music, dance, and language was proclaimed as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Notable performers