The Garifuna Experience Podcast
Dive into the heart of New York City's vibrant Garifuna community, the largest diaspora outside of Central America. This podcast amplifies authentic Garifuna voices, explores their rich history, and navigates contemporary issues, all while showcasing how Garifunas are driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in NYC and the Diaspora. Perfect for cultural enthusiasts, curious locals, and travelers seeking an authentic NYC experience.
Episodes
In this episode, host José Francisco Ávila dives deep into the Traditional Fedu, a cornerstone of Garifuna cultural identity and celebration, particularly in New York City. The Fedu, meaning "celebration" or "traditional women's dance," is powered by the fundamental Hüngühüngü rhythms. Listen to learn:
- The dual role of Fedu as both a communal holiday celebration (Christmas, New Year's)...
The future of Garifuna prosperity is in our hands! Host José Francisco Ávila lays out a powerful, multi-faceted strategy to champion Garifuna entrepreneurship in NYC and beyond. This episode introduces the #BuyGarifunamovement—more than a hashtag, it's a commitment to creating an economic multiplier effect that builds generational wealth.
Learn why Garifuna entrepreneurs face unique hurdles, and discover our ambit...
Join me as I celebrate the 56th anniversary of the Avila family's migration to the United States. In this touching episode, I retrace our steps from December 1969—traveling by train across Honduras and flying into the biting cold of a Boston winter to reunite with my father.
We reflect on the "Vision of Tito Avila," my father’s prophetic advice on citizenship, and honor the legacy of our pioneer, Tia Ber...
Join José Francisco Ávila for a festive exploration of The Pororó, a unique and enduring Guatemalan Garifuna tradition!
Discover how the Garifuna community celebrates the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12th with a magnificent three-day festival. We delve into the captivating cultural fusion of the Pororó—from the collective, circle dance accompanied by traditional Garifuna instruments, to the beautiful in...
This week, we pause to honor the life and profound legacy of a man whose vision, music, and activism continues to shape our identity: Andy Vivien Palacio (1960–2008).
Andy was not just an artist; he was a cultural champion whose journey was galvanized by a truly formative experience in the 1980s—a moment he described as a “real wake-up call” when he witnessed the near-disappearance of the Garifuna language in Nicaragua...
Join host José Francisco Ávila for an inspiring journey to the Caribbean coast of Guatemala as we celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day, observed every year on November 26th.
This episode honors the historic arrival of the Garifuna people and their enduring legacy in Livingston ("LaBuga"). We explore the profound cultural significance of this national holiday, including the vibrant Yurumein Ceremony, which re-ena...
Garifuna Settlement Day in Nicaragua: The Legacy of Orinoco and the Sambola Family
Join host José Francisco Ávila for a special episode honoring Garifuna Settlement Day in Nicaragua. Celebrated every November 19th since its official recognition by Executive Decree in 2006, this is a story of enduring cultural roots and political achievement.
This week, we trace the incredible journey of the Garifuna people:
- The first...
The Trailblazing Legacy of Thomas Vincent Ramos: The Birth of Garifuna Settlement Day
Join host José Francisco Ávila as we trace the incredible historical journey of the Garifuna people—from their forced exile on St. Vincent in 1797 to their resilient settlement across Central America.
This episode delves deep into the significance of Garifuna Settlement Day (November 19th in Belize) and the extraordinary life of civil ...
On this Veterans Day episode, host José Francisco Ávila pays tribute to the remarkable, yet often overlooked, legacy of Garifuna soldiers in the U.S. Military. Discover the 200-year warrior tradition of the Garifuna people—from resisting colonial powers in St. Vincent (Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer at the Carib Wars in 1795) and fighting in Central American independence wars (like Juan Francisco Bulnes at the Battl...
The Garifuna community in New York City is on a mission to shift from a community of presence to a community of power.
Host José Francisco Ávila dives into the critical importance of increasing Garifuna political visibility and influence, arguing that a seat at the decision-making table is non-negotiable for securing resources and fighting systemic challenges.
Hear about the Garifuna political trailblazers—like Rosemary...
The Garifuna Experience in NYC Podcast takes you back to the foundation, tracing the evolution of Garifuna civic strength in the diaspora. Host José Francisco Ávila chronicles how our community successfully transformed from informal Hometown Associations to powerful, modern non-profit organizations.
What You'll Uncover:
- The Pioneers: Learn about the earliest formalized groups like The Carib American Associatio...
Episode 21: Beyond the Narrative: The Garifuna American Law Enforcement Association, Inc.
Host: José Francisco Ávila
The Garifuna Experience in NYC Podcast goes "Beyond the Narrative" to highlight the powerful impact of The Garifuna American Law Enforcement Association, Inc. (GALEA).
Join host José Francisco Ávila as he explores how GALEA—a non-profit founded in 2017 by NYPD's Police Officer Jorge Rochez a...
Episode Description
Celebrate International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples with host José Francisco Ávila as we journey into the powerful and persistent world of the Garifuna people. Far more than a historical footnote, the Garifuna are a vibrant Afro-Indigenous treasure and a testament to resilience, born from the unique union of shipwrecked enslaved Africans, Arawaks, and Kalinago in St. Vincent (Yurumein...
Join host José Francisco Ávila as he explores the profound and inspiring history of Garifuna progress through education. This episode traces the community's journey from the immense sacrifices made by early generations—sending children from remote villages to the city just for a chance to attend school—to the modern-day achievements of Garifuna scholars in the diaspora.
Discover:
- The Unbreakable Value: How the ...
Host José Francisco Ávila dives deep into the power and necessity of Garifuna Literary Arts. For a people whose history was often deliberately erased from official records, the written word is not just culture—it's reclamation.
This episode explores why Garifuna authors must write, moving beyond the centuries-old oral tradition to create a permanent, authentic record. We highlight the pioneers—like Catarino Castro...
Join us as we celebrate the life and legacy of a Garifuna icon, the late singer, composer, and politician Aurelio Martínez Suazo, on what would have been his 56th birthday.
In this special episode, we explore one of his greatest artistic achievements: his powerful mentorship with West African superstar Youssou N'Dour through the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative.
We delve into how this landmark collaboration...
In this episode, The Garifuna Experience Podcast commemorates the life of Catarino Castro Serrano (1892-1939), a significant figure in Honduran history and the first documented Garifuna intellectual and congressman.
Listeners will learn about his major contributions, including:
· His landmark book, Honduras in the first century, which provides a critical analysis of the nation's political, cultural, and milit...
Este episodio especial de The Garifuna Experience Podcast conmemora la vida de Catarino Castro Serrano (1892-1939), una figura importante en la historia hondureña y el primer intelectual y congresista garífuna documentado.
Los oyentes aprenderán sobre sus principales contribuciones, que incluyen:
- Su libro de referencia, Honduras en la primera centuria, que proporciona un análisis crítico de la vida política, cultur...
On this episode of The Garifuna Experience Podcast, host José Francisco Ávila explores the extraordinary journey of the Garinagu people and their vital role in the history of Belize.
We'll uncover the story of the Garinagu's unwelcome arrival in the British colony and their hard-won acceptance. Discover how they leveraged their resilience and cultural strength to become a cornerstone of the nation. The episod...
Explore the life and legacy of Thomas Vincent Ramos, a true pioneer and visionary leader. This episode, "Father of Garifuna History," delves into Ramos's journey as a Garifuna historian, civil rights activist, and journalist. Discover how his unwavering commitment to his people led to the creation of Garifuna Settlement Day, one of the earliest official black holidays in the Americas. Learn about his pr...
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