The Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit (RIDU) is hosting a group of 60 representatives of Garifuna Organizations from Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua and the USA.
The event dubbed, ‘The Pilgrimage of the Garifuna Diaspora to SVG’ will feature a number of activities which began on August 6th and continues until August 15th.
On Thursday there was a Garifuna Mass (Lemesi Garifuna) in memory of their ancestors at the St. Mary’s Cathedral of the Assumption, Kingstown at 3:30 pm. At 6:00 pm at the Peace Memorial Hall, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves was the Featured Speaker at the Opening Ceremony at the Peace Memorial Hall.
The visiting delegation will also be engaged in a series of visits to Byrea, Rabacca, Sandy Bay, Fort Charlotte, Fancy, among others.
The year, 2017 marks the 220th anniversary of the attempted genocide, forced migration and subsequent resettlement of the Garifuna People to countries in Central America.