“Wаmúа, wаnісhіgu lubá ámuñеgü: óundаrunі hаmа nіburеіntіаn lun lаbаgаrіdu Gаrіfunа – Оur lаnd, оur сulturе, оur futurе: іnvоlvіng оur уоuth fоr Gаrіfunа ѕurvіvаl.” This is the powerful theme in which one of the most vibrant cultures will celebrate its 191st anniversary of arriving at the shores of Belize. Garifuna Settlement Day is celebrated annually on November 19th, a festival of drums and dancing honoring the Garinagu’s traditions and culture.

Much pride is placed into the celebration, and there is no better way to keep the Garifuna culture alive than through its food. Garifuna cuisine is full of flavors reflecting this history and the land they have cultivated. One of the most popular cultural dishes is Hudut, a delicious soup called Sere combined with plantains and coconut. Served with green and ripe plantains mashed in a traditional mata bowl using a hahna stick, this is a must-try dish in Belize.

Are you feeling adventurous in the kitchen? Try making hudut!

Ingredients:

Two whole fish, Red Snapper, recommended

Two cans of coconut milk

One whole onion chopped

Two minced cloves of garlic

4 Okra, cut into bite-size pieces

minced cilantro, to taste

ground oregano, to taste

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

Four green plantains

Two ripe plantains

Instructions:

Soup

1. Clean and cut your fish into halves. Season with salt and black pepper.
2. Fry fish in a skillet with hot oil until golden brown.
3. Combine coconut oregano, cilantro, garlic, okra salt, and black pepper to taste in a pot and bring to a boil.
4. When coconut milk is boiling add fried fish and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.

Side

1. Peal both green and ripe plantains and boil them in water.
2. Once soft, mash plantains using a large wooden mortar and pestle (a clean glass bottle and a bowl will work, too).
3. Form mashed plantains into a serving sized balls

Once complete, serve Sere soup nice and hot with a side of mashed plantains, and enjoy!

Fun activities for Garifuna Settlement Day

Garifuna Settlement Day is celebrated countrywide. However, the main festivities are concentrated in the cultural capital of Belize, Dangriga Town. In San Pedro Town, the Garinagu community host an early morning reenactment of their arrival on the beach at Central Park, followed by a ceremonial mass at the San Pedro Roman Catholic Church. The day continues with a festival, including live cultural presentations, music, drumming, and food. For more details on the event, visit our My Beautiful Belize Calendar of Events at https://mybeautifulbelize.com/events/