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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 rights activist Thomas Vincent Ramos. Discover how Ramos, a true visionary, fought for cultural recognition in 1941 to establish what became one of the earliest official Black holidays in the Americas, cementing the Garinagu's contribution to Belize’s national identity. Learn why this annual celebration, featuring the symbolic Yurumein reenactment, is a powerful act of unity, pride, and affirmation.

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Books by José Francisco Ávila

• Pan-Garifuna Afro-Latino Power of Pride: My Quest for Racial, Ancestral, Ethnic and Cultural Identity
• Garífuna Ancestry: The DNA Quest to Decipher the Garifuna Distant Past