Garifuna Identity [Garinagu Ungua] (as derived through literary analysis of works by Garifuna authors)

Date of Award

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Portugal, Jose Alberto

Keywords

Garifuna, Garifuna Identity, Works by Garifuna Authors

Area of Concentration

International and Area Studies

Abstract

This thesis attacks the issue of identity as it is related to the Garifuna and expressed through works written about them and by them. The first chapter is a description of their history from the 17th century up to the present day and contains information contributed by Garifuna and non-Garifuna scholars. The next three chapters focus on the following works: Garifuna Folktales (1994), Uraga: La tradici6n oral del pueblo Garifuna (1999), and Adeija Sisira Gererun Aguburigu Garinagu: El Enojo de las Sonajas: Palabras del Ancestro (1997). All of these works are written by Garifuna authors and contain cultural expressions such as folktates, stories, songs, dances, and poems. There is also an appendix where the twelve stories which comprise the third chapter are summarized. It is through literary analysis of these works and more specifically these cultural expressions, that the forum for discussion on Garifuna identity is created. The Garifuna have survived in spite of many obstacles by adapting and incorporating particular aspects of their surrounding environments into their own culture. They have, however, managed to retain something that is regarded by both scholars and the Garifuna themselves: a unique and culturally rich identity.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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