Singing to Save Garifuna

James Lovell grew up in Belize and heard Garifuna spoken by his parents and grandparents. He didn’t really want to speak the language until he heard music of a local musician. Now, James Lovell wants to spread the language of Garifuna through song. Reporter Nina Porzucki brings us his profile.

Fry’s Planet Word, and the Rise of Belizean Creole

An interview with writer and actor Stephen Fry, who has made a series on language for BBC TV.

Garifuna artist Aurelio Martinez

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Freelance producer Betto Arcos tells us about a new CD by Honduran and Garifuna musician Aurelio Martinez. The new CD is called Laru Beya. Download MP3

Video: Aurelio Martinez – Yalifu

The Garifuna: African influence in Central America

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The story behind today’s Global Hit starts on the Caribbean Island of St. Vincent. In 1635, two slave ships wrecked there, and the African slaves escaped to freedom. They mixed in with the native Caribs, giving birth to a new Afro-Caribbean culture – the Garifuna (Gareefoonah). In the centuries since, the Garifuna migrated and founded villages along the Caribbean coast of Central America. Later today, Lonny Shavelson will have a report from Guatemala. (Photo: Lonny Shavelson)

• Video: The Garifuna of Guatemala
• Marco Werman: The Garifuna Women’s Project (2008)