If there is anything more interesting than the beaches and parks of Tela, then it is its people. And probably the most engaging, enchanting and exciting are the Garinagu!
The Garinagu people are an ethnic group of mixed ancestry descended from the Carib, Arawak and African peoples. Due to this melding of cultures, the Garinagu culture is unique in itself although significant influences from other cultures are evident.
People
In Tela, many Garinagu villages still exist. Visitors can visit the Rio Tinto, Tornabé, Miami, La Ensenada, San Juan, and finally Triunfo de la Cruz scattered in the outlying areas of teal. Probably the most interesting because it has retained its centuries-old way of life is the Miami village on the beach of Micos Lagoon inside the Punta Sal National Park. Of course, visitors can visit these Garinagu villages by themselves. However, it is often best to do so in a guided day tour so as to get the most interaction from the locals as well as to be instructed on the right behavior so as to respect local culture.
Society
Garifuna society is a matriarchal one, which means that women assume an active and central part in the household management and the children’s education. Often, too, women assume leadership roles in the community! Yes, the Garifuna woman is no shrinking violet, which means that visitors must accord them the respect they deserve.
Language
The language of the Garinagu reflects its mixed heritage. It is derived primarily from Carib and Arawak with minor influences from French, English and Spanish. Since the Garinagu often adapt the language of the country they stay in, you can speak to a Garifuna in Tela with a few Spanish phrases. An interesting fact about the Garinagu language is that the vocabulary is gender-split, which means that some words are only used by men and some terms only by women! Of course, this does not mean that the society is split in half – men on one side, women on the other side – because Garinagu society is a coed one, so to speak.
Dance and Music
It must be emphasized that the Garifuna language, dance and music have been designated by the UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity for its outstanding contribution to humanity’s diversity of cultures. Along with this designation is the acknowledgement that the Garifuna culture is endangered. So, whenever you visit a Garinagu village, be sure to respect the integrity of the local culture. After all, you have the responsibility as a human being to protect it in your own way! Anyways, Garifuna dance and music is a combination of indigenous and African elements. Varieties include circle dances, paranda and punta, work and cappella songs, to name a few. If you are lucky, you can see these dances and music performed during special occasions.
Tela’s human resources are its best resources! So, whenever you find yourself in Tela, always be sure to interact with the vibrant, vivacious and vivid Garinagu people for a cultural experience unlike no other.
