HAPPENINGS IN NUEVA ARMENIA
March 2006
Chachaguate
On March 11, 2006, a historic announcement was made that the government of Honduras is close to an agreement to award land titles for the island communities of Chachaguate, East End, and Cayos Balanos to the island inhabitants. All of the island communities have close ties to the mainland in the case of Chachaguate, the ties are to Nueva Armenia. This was welcomed news since at one time, the titles were in dispute and the people were to be removed from the island and the land was to be sold (as recently as four years ago). Since then, the Garifuna have been declared indigenous and as such rights were granted to them. This island is located across from Cayos Menor within marine protected area of Cayos Cochinos.
Medical brigade
A medical brigade from the United States arrived in Nueva Armenia March 29th and 30 to do vaccinations, dental work, general medical checkups, and to distribute highly needed medicine to the community-at-large. Also, the brigade assisted in HIV testing. People came from all the surrounding communities in order to receive medical attention. Since the event was held in the local school, no classes were held for two days.
El Bolario
This is an event unique to the Garifuna culture. El Bolario is a ceremony that celebrates life and death. A year after the death of someone prominent in the community, the community gathers to celebrate the person’s life by dancing traditional dances and telling stories. Instead of sorrow, family and friends rejoice and celebrate life.
English Classes
Michael Eisenhower, a Peace Corps volunteer who lives in Nueva Armenia began teaching English classes to community members. The classes are held twice a week and include games as well as helpful words and phrases. You can now here members of the community walking around asking in English “How are you?” and responding “I am fine, How are you?” The community is excited and getting ready for the arrival of so English-speaking tourists this summer.
Youth committee
There are actually two different committees that involve the youth of Nueva Armenia. One focus on community projects such as community cleanup. They are working closely with the Municipality of Jutiapa to solve the problem of transportation of trash to the neighboring community. The cost of transportation prohibits long-term solution and the youth are seeking an alternative form of trash disposal. Also to finance other projects, T-shirts will be produced with a Garifuna design and saying and will be on sale during the summer. There are 25 youth directly involved in this project. The second youth group is focused on the theatre event. In the past, they have traveled along the north coast doing a play on HIV and AIDS prevention. The group is currently developing other ideas.
April 2006
Upcoming events include the Garifuna Food Festival of Nueva Armenia, which takes place April 12, during Semana Santa. April 12th celebrates the anniversary of the arrival of t
he Garifuna to Honduras 209 years ago. This event will include traditional dances, a soccer match between neighboring communities, and traditional food such as casaba, sopa de caracol, fried fish and shrimp, chicken in cream sauce, platanos (a form of banana), and sweets such as pan de coco (coconut bread) and caballitos (another form of sweet bread).
March 2006
Chachaguate
On March 11, 2006, a historic announcement was made that the government of Honduras is close to an agreement to award land titles for the island communities of Chachaguate, East End, and Cayos Balanos to the island inhabitants. All of the island communities have close ties to the mainland in the case of Chachaguate, the ties are to Nueva Armenia. This was welcomed news since at one time, the titles were in dispute and the people were to be removed from the island and the land was to be sold (as recently as four years ago). Since then, the Garifuna have been declared indigenous and as such rights were granted to them. This island is located across from Cayos Menor within marine protected area of Cayos Cochinos.
Medical brigade
A medical brigade from the United States arrived in Nueva Armenia March 29th and 30 to do vaccinations, dental work, general medical checkups, and to distribute highly needed medicine to the community-at-large. Also, the brigade assisted in HIV testing. People came from all the surrounding communities in order to receive medical attention. Since the event was held in the local school, no classes were held for two days.
El Bolario
This is an event unique to the Garifuna culture. El Bolario is a ceremony that celebrates life and death. A year after the death of someone prominent in the community, the community gathers to celebrate the person’s life by dancing traditional dances and telling stories. Instead of sorrow, family and friends rejoice and celebrate life.
English Classes
Michael Eisenhower, a Peace Corps volunteer who lives in Nueva Armenia began teaching English classes to community members. The classes are held twice a week and include games as well as helpful words and phrases. You can now here members of the community walking around asking in English “How are you?” and responding “I am fine, How are you?” The community is excited and getting ready for the arrival of so English-speaking tourists this summer.
Youth committee
There are actually two different committees that involve the youth of Nueva Armenia. One focus on community projects such as community cleanup. They are working closely with the Municipality of Jutiapa to solve the problem of transportation of trash to the neighboring community. The cost of transportation prohibits long-term solution and the youth are seeking an alternative form of trash disposal. Also to finance other projects, T-shirts will be produced with a Garifuna design and saying and will be on sale during the summer. There are 25 youth directly involved in this project. The second youth group is focused on the theatre event. In the past, they have traveled along the north coast doing a play on HIV and AIDS prevention. The group is currently developing other ideas.
April 2006
Upcoming events include the Garifuna Food Festival of Nueva Armenia, which takes place April 12, during Semana Santa. April 12th celebrates the anniversary of the arrival of t
he Garifuna to Honduras 209 years ago. This event will include traditional dances, a soccer match between neighboring communities, and traditional food such as casaba, sopa de caracol, fried fish and shrimp, chicken in cream sauce, platanos (a form of banana), and sweets such as pan de coco (coconut bread) and caballitos (another form of sweet bread).
posted by Tony's Blog @ 12:26 PM
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