Completing the Circle: Garifuna Pilgrimage Journeys from Belize to Yurumein

Abstract

This thesis explores the connections that the Garifuna indigenous group of Belize has with their former homeland, the island of St. Vincent. After emerging as a distinct ethnic group during the 17th century, the Garifuna were exiled from St. Vincent by British colonial rulers in 1797. For the Garifuna people, the connection to the island is more than historical. It is also spiritual. Interviews were conducted in July 2006 in Belize with members of the Garifuna community who have made the journey back to the island. In addition to presenting the results of those interviews, this thesis will also provide a history of the Garifuna people, describe some of the spiritual aspects of the culture, and a discussion of the current literature on pilgrimage.