Dangriga

Dangriga Town
"Drums of our Fathers Monument" in Dangriga, Belize
Nickname(s): The Culture Capital, Griga
Dangriga Town
Coordinates: 16°58′N 88°13′W / 16.967°N 88.217°W / 16.967; -88.217
Country	Belize
District	Stann Creek
Founded	1700s
Government
- Mayor of Dangriga	Frank Mena
Elevation	sea level m (0 ft)
Population (2005)
- Total	12,000
	estimated
Time zone	Central (UTC-6)
Website	Official Dangriga Website

Dangriga Town, 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.

History

Dangriga was settled before 1832 by Garinagu (Black Caribs, as they were known to the British) from Honduras. 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".^[1]

Demographics

The population is mostly a mixture of Garinagu, Kriols and Mestizos. Dangriga has a population estimate of 12,000.

Main Dangriga

Garifuna drum making in Dangriga

Culture

Dangriga is home to the Garifuna, a cultural and ethnic group, decedents 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 Rock, originated and where some of Belize's folk bands can be found.

Attractions

• Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, 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 Sea.

Healthcare

The city is served by Dangriga Hospital.

Notable residents

• Arlie Petters, mathematician and astrophysicist
• Pen Cayetano, artist and musician residing in Germany

References

External links

• Official Dangriga website

Coordinates: 16°58′N 88°13′W / 16.967°N 88.217°W / 16.967; -88.217

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