Garifuna Mali Ritual - Report On Workshop Project

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REPORT ON

MALI WORKSHOP PROJECT


January 16, 2010

Photos by I. Myrtle Palacio

Bayera, Dangriga, BELIZE

I. Myrtle Palacio, O.B.E.


January 2010
BUYEI JUAN LAMBEY INSTITUTE

Mali Workshop Project


January 16, 2010
Bayera, Dangriga, BELIZE

A REPORT
(updated February 2010)

Background
Buyei Juan Lambey Institute is a legal entity that came into being in 2000. The leaders,
Mr. Eugene Hernandez and the late Buyei John Mariano saw the Institute as an engine for
education in general regarding Garifunaduo and in particular the role and significance of
the Dabuyaba. Both Mr. Hernandez and Mr. Mariano returned to Dangriga from the
United States upon retirement, and along with their spouses and other family members
have contributed immensely to the Dangriga community. Through the initiatives of Mr.
Hernandez and Mr. Mariano, the Buyei Juan Lambey Institute has conducted among
other activities, summer workshops in drumming and wanaragua dancing, skills training
for income generation, exhibition of Garifuna artifacts, experimented in aqua-fishing, and
gave support to hana and drum making by Mr. Kapi Mariano.

The Mali workshop resulted from a request by Baba John Mariano just before his illness
and passing in September 2009. He saw the need for such continuous activities as he
considered the Dabuyaba as central to Garifunaduo. This workshop was also in honour
of Mr. Eugene Hernandez and in remembrance of Buyei John Mariano for their many
contributions. It is a project as the meaning connotes some continuation in this area.

The Mali workshop project initiative was organized and sponsored by the Myrtle Palacio
family grouping through the Buyei Juan Lambey Institute. It came to fruition with the
support and confidence of Cannon Jerris Jones Valentine, Pastor of Christ the King
Anglican Church of Dangriga, Belize. Cannon Valentine is the foremost knowledgeable
person in every aspect of the Dugu ceremony from the drumming to awisahani and the
calling of the uyenu. He is one of possibly three persons in Dangriga who can call the
Mali. Cannon Valentine organized the agenda and was the primary facilitator for the
workshop.

The Workshop
The workshop was held on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at Bayera, in Dangriga, Belize. It
was the first sunny and dry day in approximately two weeks in Belize, with a gentle sea
breeze blowing from the Caribbean. Bayera was the ideal venue, being the location of
the Baba John Dabuyaba, which is positioned immediately in front of the sea. After the
sending out the call for the workshop, the feedback was that there would be a maximum
of 20 participants. By 10:30 a.m. on the day of the workshop, some 58 persons had
registered and through the flexibility and initiative of Ms. Lilly the cook, we were able to
provide food for a total of 64 participants.
After the welcome and introduction by Ms. Myrtle Palacio, Mr. Roy Cayetano gave an
overview of our history and incorporated that with the object for a Dugu and symbolic
meanings for the drums etc. Several questions were asked of Mr. Cayetano on his
presentation leading to a lively discussion. After a short break Cannon Valentine led the
discussion to the Mali—its significance, the symbols of the movements of the drums, the
sisira and the calling of the Mali. Several questions were fielded, a few not directly on
the topic that Cannon Valentine kindly guided to the satisfaction of the participants who
continued the discussion into the lunch break. Lunch consisted of darasa or ereba with
fish or chicken and a coleslaw, pound cake and citrus juice.

Lunch was followed by the practice of the call and response of the Mali, which was
introduced by Cannon Valentine, and this time utilizing the drums (the music). He
demonstrated the importance of synchronizing the call with the movements of the drums-
--up and down. Ms Gwen Nunez Gonzalez willingly exercised the calling of the Mali
during the practical. While this was new experience to some, it was reinforcement for
others.

A full Mali was conducted with participants putting what they learnt into practice with
Cannon Valentine critically looking on. The participation of the youth who were fully
engaged was very promising. The Dabuyaba rocked, literally, with enthusiasm and
confidence. The workshop ended with chururuti and awesahani….and with calls for
more. The “Chiquita Cola” piece was a hit.

Mali—An Overview
The Garifuna word malí derives from the verb ámaliha and/or the noun ámalihaní. The
action word (verb) ámaliha means in English, to placate, to appease or to mollify.
Similarly, ámalihaní as the noun means the placation of; and the term malí is popularly
used for the placating of the Gubida (spirits) in the Dügú ceremony. Presided over by a
Buyei, the Dügú takes place in the Dabuyaba (ancestral house) and the Malí is one ritual
in the ceremony. While the primary objective of the Dügú ceremony is to mollify the
Gubida by yielding concessions or to pacify by granting demands made by the Ahari
(Ancestral spirits), the Malí is one of the most important and sacred aspects in the entire
Dügú ceremony, in terms of obtaining the objective. The belief is that the Mali also
repairs damaged relationships, and after reconciliation and repentance, there is joy and
satisfaction. There are three drums and the three drummers stand and move around
playing the drums throughout the Malí, which lasts approximately 36 minutes. The
middle drum is referred to as the anighi (heart). The other musical instrument is the
sisira which is usually played by the Buyei. Please note that the photographs in this
report show the practical aspects of the workshop; so that the person playing the sisira is
not a Buyei and that this was only a demonstration of the Malí ceremony.

The word for sun and day (weyu) in Garifuna is the same. The fact that the earth is
divided into two—day and night, and is further divided into morning and evening,
twilight and deep sleep is very much respected in Garifuna rituals and belief systems.
For example, it is believed that bad spirits roam the earth around mid-day and mid-night
and therefore drums are not played in the Dabuyaba at those times; and in times past
children were not to be found on the road/street around mid-day. The use of the rida
(calabash) of water with two pieces of coconut leaf spine placed on top at most rituals
demonstrates this belief. The cross divides the rida in two, similar concept too the
division of the earth into day and night. Where the two sticks cross is the centre, and
from the centre there are movements back to the extremities of the cross and back again
to the centre (see photos in Appendix i).

The movements in the Mali are played out in much the same manner. The drummers
move with the Buyei throughout the Mali. Commencing from the centre at the western
end of the Dabuyaba, from in front of the Guli (inner chamber of the Dabuyaba), the
three drummers stand facing the Buyei who plays the Sisira and the participants stand
behind the Buyei. The Buyei leading the Mali shuffles backwards and then forward to the
centre of the Dabuyaba, with the drummers and participants following the Buyei’s every
lead (see photos in Appendix i).

At the centre is the maniguati (quiet or silence). The chanting stops and the drums are
down to a murmur. The drums represent the spirits of the living; the Sisira played by the
Buyei represents the spirits of outerworld, and the ground represents the spirits of the
underworld. The drummers with their drums bend down, the drums touching the earth.
The Buyei also bends down playing the Sisira to meet the drums and taking turn to play
the Sisira in front of each drum, and then back to the middle drum. This is a moment of
great significance in the Mali ritual (see photos in Appendix i).

The movement then shifts to the southern door, and it is believed that we are moving our
existence. The same shuffling as occurred in the west including the maniguati is repeated
at every movement, next to the east, then north and back where it started in the wes,t in
front of the Guli and back to the centre. The rhythm is now faster as the movement is
repeated clockwise this time, but faster—to the north then the east, then south and back to
the west in front of the Guli. On reaching the west, the Mali is over, it has been
accomplished and the ancestral spirits have been placated.

Conclusion
The objective of individuals leaving the workshop with full knowledge of calling the
Mali was not fully met. However, understanding its significance, timing and the how
was generally accomplished and with continuous practice a few experts may emerge.
There were calls for more of the same from the participants, as well as workshops on the
language and the Dugu itself. Cannon Valentine mentioned that the workshop was
historic—a first—so let this workshop be the beginning, and that there be a continuation
of this and other areas, led by an individual and/or youth group as we now know that one
day or one occasion is not enough.
More than a half of the persons registered were young persons to the age of 21 and
relatively young to the age of 40. While there were far more female participants, the
presence of males particularly within the youths was heartening.

Lastly, a dagagudou to the ancestors was organized by Cannon Valentine with the
assistance of Auntie Felo. This took place in the Guli—so that what we ate and drank
was also shared with the ancestors in the spirit of the tradition and Garifunaduo. Some of
the information in the “Overview” on the Mali was shared with me by Cannon Valentine.

On behalf of the Buyei Juan Lambey Institute and the Myrtle Palacio family grouping I
would like to wholeheartedly give thanks the following persons:
• Cannon Jerris J. Valentine for facilitating and for his contribution of water and
ereba
• Mr. Roy Cayetano for his presentation on the Overview of the Garifuna History
• Mrs. Jeremy Jacqueline Valentine Cayetano and Mrs. Lorraine Valentine for
contributing the stipend of $90.00 to the drummers
• Mrs. Digna Mariano for preparing the Dabuyaba and Ms. Lilly for her creativity
in stretching the food and who was never flustered by the large turnout
• Ms Arreini Palacio Morgan for designing and producing the programme
• Anighi, Aniki and Arreini for the logistics on the ground on that day
• Ms. Gwen Nunez Gonzalez for assisting with the registration on Saturday
• Our elders, Auntie Felomena Arana and Auntie Lilly Garcia for assisting in
guiding us along
• Mr. David Craig of CPBL for the juices and cups
Seremei toun Wabuongiute hama Aharigu. Weiriti naritagoun lau chulugua-hama.
Many thanks to all.

I. Myrtle Palacio
January 2010
APPENDI
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APPENDIX ii

Buyei Juan Lambey Institute


Bayera, Dangriga, BELIZE
January 16, 2010

Mali Workshop Project


List of Names

No. First Last Name Address E-Mail


Name
1. Nadia Martinez Dangriga nadyanique@hotmail.com
2. Areth Ariola Hopkins kytejahleel@yahoo.com

3. Myrtle Palacio Belize City dabina2000@yahoo.com


4. Pen Cayetano Dangriga cayetano@gmx.net
5. Ingrid Cayetano Dangriga cayetano@gmx.net
6. Cadisha Augustine Dangriga kadisha.augustine@yahoo.com
7. Jerris J. Valentine Dangriga cannonval@hotmail.com
8. Pauline Nelson Dangriga
9. Antonia Alvarez 40 Valley Rd.
10. Roysus Bregal 62 Melinda Rd.
11. Lorraine Valentine Dangriga
12. Linda Castillo Dangriga
13. Desiree Pascual Dangriga dez-pascual@yahoo.com
14. Sharon Valentine Dangriga ubafu2003@yahoo.com
15. Amy Mantock Dangriga ajmantock@yahoo.com
16. Olivett Ramos Dangriga
17. Delroy Alvarez Dangriga
18. Arreini Palacio Morgan Belmopan arreinipal@yahoo.com
19. Aniki Palacio Belmopan worf83@yahoo.com
20. Lucia Ellis Belmopan numada2003@yahoo.com
21. Gwen Nunez Gonzalez Sarah Gonguez wanigig@yahoo.com
St.
22 Darrissie Sabal Monument Site
23 Faye Castillo S. Gonguez St.
24 Sade Witty S. Gonguez St.
25 Carla Thompson 3 Commerce St carlajane-03@yahoo.com
26 Lavern Aranda 27 Ghans Ave.
27 Roy Cayetano Isla Rd. rmeconsult1@btl.net
28 Jenean Sabal 1625 Sabal Com
29 Courtney Sabal Rival Estate sabalcourtney@yahoo.com
30 Aisha Fernandez 2 New Site aishafernandez46@yahoo.com
31 Juanita Nunez P.O. Box 205 jlnun@hotmail.com
32 Cassian Nunez P.O. Box 205 ckguzman@hotmail.com
33 Ifasina Efunyemi 40 Pine St. ifasina@gmail.com
34 Elisa Ariola Belmopan elisaerodriguez@yahoo.com
35 Jeremy Valentine 37 2nd New Site jeremycty@yahoo.com
Cayetano
36 Felishe Cayetano 37 2nd New Site
37 Leron Cayetano 29 Pine St. leecaye2001@yahoo.com
38 James Flores 2nd New Site Jimboflo101@yahoo.com
39 Oscar Marcello 99 St. Vincent
St.
40 Digna Mariano Dangriga
41 Ignacia Garcia Lakeland Area
42 Olga Caliz Lakeland Area
43 Felomena Arana Lakeland Area
44 Blanche Ciego 52 Ramos Rd.
45 Salome Lino 16 Sawai St.
46 Balbina Diego 679 Zericote St.
“Biti”
47 Kelvin Thomas Belmopan
48 Desiree Diego 54 Lakeland
49 Tiffany Rubio 53 Canal St.
50 Victor 63 Lakeland
51 Marcella Arana 33 Lakeland
52 Marlon Melendrez 2nd New Site
53 Aaron Ramirez Sabal Comm.
54 Tyson Johnson 11 Yampa St.
55 Yadira Sabal Monument Site
56 Matilda Sabal-Ramos 3 Srs Holy Fam
57 Denise Palacio 3 Isla Rd. palaciodenise@yahoo.com
For more information:
www.belize-glessimaresearch.org
www.issuu.com/irispal

Mali Project Workshop


Buyei Juan Lambey Institute
Dangriga, Belize
January 16, 2010
Facilitator: Canon Jerris Valentine,
Christ the King Anglican Church

Arreini Palacio Morgan


arreinipal@yahoo.com
INTRODUCTION PROGRAMME
08:00 Registration -- Meet & Greet
Iduhenyu:
09:00 Welcome and Objective of
In memory of Buyei John Mariano Workshop
In honour of Mr. Eugene Hernandez
The Buyei Juan Lambey Institute is 09:30 Why a Dugu?
hosting a workshop on "The Mali", (open discussion)
sponsored by the Myrtle Palacio
Family. 10:30 Garifuna Spirituality or
Scandal?
The objectives are:
♦ to learn or become aware of the call 11:00 Significance of the Mali
and response to the Mali
♦ to know the significance of the Mali 11:30 Singing of the Mali
in the Dugu ceremony
12:30 LUNCH and Abeimahani
Seremei
13:30 Practice of 'calling' the Mali

14:30 Abelagudahani

14:45 Mali

15:30 Chururuti ... awisahani


Buyei John Mariano Mr. Eugene Hernandez
June 24, 1936— Sept 12, 2009

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