A coastal town in eastern Belize, Hopkins Village is a Garifuna village on the coast of the Stann Creek District. Hopkins is considered by some Belizeans as the cultural center of the Garifuna population in Belize. The town hosts its own national holiday called Hopkins Day, and welcomes people for their celebration on Garifuna Independence Day as well. They celebrate this occasion with drum ceremonies that can last up until the early hours in the morning.
Hopkins Village Was Created In 1942
The village is separated into two parts: the North side (locally called Baila) and the Southside (locally called False Sittee). It is a quiet, laid-back fishing village with a long white-sand beach. Hopkins is surrounded by the Maya Mountains and the Cockscomb Range inland, and the Caribbean Sea on its shore. The village was created in 1942 to replace the village of Newtown, which was devastated by a hurricane further up the coast.
Being a part of the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor that stretches from southern Mexico to Panama, Belize’s biodiversity – both terrestrial and marine – is rich with abundant flora and fauna. Belize is also a leader when it comes to protecting its natural resources and biodiversity. Recent information has shown that about 36& of Belize’s land territory falls under some form of official protected status, giving Belize one of the most extensive systems of terrestrial protected areas in the Americas. About 13% of the territorial waters of Belize – home to the Belize Barrier Reef System – are also protected. The Belize Barrier Reef System both constitutes a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site and the second largest barrier reef in the world, second on to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Soak In Garifuna Culture
Garinagu, the people, who language and culture is Garifuna, have a rich and interesting culture which in Hopkins is continued and preserved more than any other Garinagu settlement in the country. The Garifuna speak an Amerindian language with a small number of loan words from French, Spanish and English. Garifuna music is a rich and creative amalgam of all the cultural traditions to which the Garifuna are heir; songs, dances, plays, mimes, storytelling, processions, and poetry make up the branches of Garifuna performing arts. Everyone is encouraged to participate and small children publicly perform with mastery rare in culture where musicianship is considered the special gift of a privileged few. Their lyrical themes widely vary. Many concern travels, the loneliness of being far from loved ones, or expressing a desire to leave. Other songs are written to commemorate an event, poke fun at a situation or comment on someone’s foolish behavior.
Hopkins Village Voted ” The Friendliest Village In Belize “
Today, Hopkins Village is a small but vibrant community of about 1,000 villagers. The people mostly live by fishing and farming, and more recently many have found work in the growing tourist industry. The residents are known for their friendliness and genuine hospitality, and warmly welcome visitors to their village. It has a selection of restaurants, bars and gift shops. Hopkins Village was recently voted ‘The Friendliest Village in Belize’ by Belize First Magazine.