AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums About Belize History Remembering Dr. Joseph Palacio

In celebration of Garifuna Settlement Day, we remember a giant in the Archaeology and Garifuna community in Belize.

As a pioneer, he became the first archaeologist in Belize and the first Garifuna to be trained in Archaeology and Anthropology.

Following upon his studies, he was appointed by the Government as the first Archaeological Commissioner of Belize. In this position, he was given the responsibility of establishing Belize's initial Archaeological Department in a context where Belize , then known as British Honduras, was creating new institutions to define itself as a nation.

For many years, he was the only trained archaeologist in Belize. During his tenure as Archaeological Commissioner, Dr. Palacio was instrumental in the development of legislation relating to the excavation, preservation and development of Belize's rich archaeological heritage. Prior to his tenure, many valuable artifacts were stolen and sold illegally outside of the country. His groundbreaking work over many years laid the basis for the training of other Belizean archaeologists and for the establishment of what is now the Institute of Archaeology, the statutory body responsible for the oversight and management of all archaeological sites in Belize.

Aside from his work in Archaeology, he maintained a strong current of Garifuna Studies and successfully introduced the first formal Garifuna Language training programme. As a leader in the Garifuna movement, Dr. Palacio contributed to the local and regional development of the culture. He was a founding member of the Caribbean Organization of Indigenous People (COIP), which for many years provided a forum for research and discourse on matters relevant to the indigenous peoples of the region. His training in Social Anthropology provided and continues to provide important platforms for original research on Garifuna themes.

Dr. Palacio has distinguished himself as a committed Garifuna pioneer and an expert on matters pertaining to the Garifuna Heritage and Culture in Belize and in the region.

Thank you, Dr. Palacio.
Happy Garifuna Settlement Day
by the Belize Institute of Archaeology

Remembering the legendary Andy Palacio

Belize's legendary Garifuna star Vivian Andy Palacio was remembered on Wednesday, December 2nd, by family members, friends and fans from across the country and beyond the borders. Palacio, who died in 2008, was a leading activist for the Garifuna people and their culture, while sharing the Punta music with world and putting Belize on the map. The National Garifuna Council (NGC) paid tribute to Palacio on his 60th birthday and shared comments from family members and music colleagues. Local radio stations played his songs throughout the day, listening to classics like Watina, among others, that saw him receiving international music and cultural awards.

The Garifuna musician was born on December 2, 1960, in the beautiful coastal village of Barranco in the Toledo District. Palacio loved music from a very young age; however his greatest passion was educating others. His first profession was teaching, and for a short time taught social studies in school. The teaching profession made him part of the Teachers Brigade who went to the Garifuna communities in Nicaragua. He later ventured into music and released several albums. Appointed Belizean Cultural Ambassador and Deputy Administrator of the National Institute of Culture and History in 2004, Palacio devoted himself to the preservation of Garifuna music and culture. In 2007, Palacio's years of work with the Stonetree's Garifuna All-Stars project came to fruition with the release of the acclaimed Watina album with the Garifuna Collective. Watina featured a multigenerational crew of Garifuna musicians from Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras (including octogenarian singer Paul Nabor) that delved deeply into traditional Garifuna rhythms and songs. The album was a critical success that garnered worldwide attention for the Garifuna people, culture and language. Thanks to Watina, Palacio was named a UNESCO Artist for Peace and won the prestigious WOMEX Award in 2007. He created a rich legacy of songs, compositions, accolades including the UNESCO Artist for Peace, And winning BBC3 Awards for World Music award in the Americas category.

Click here to read the rest of the article in the San Pedro Sun