Cynthia Ellis-Topsey Attends Garifuna Conference in St. Vincent

Belizean cultural ambassador, Cynthia Ellis-Topsey, was one of several residents of Central America who attended the 11th International Garifuna Conference last month in St Vincent and the Grenadines.  The conference forms part of the island’s observance of National Heroes and Heritage Month. One of the highlights of the month’s activities was the pilgrimage held in honor and memory of Joseph Chatuye.  The pilgrimage saw dozens journey to Balliceaux for a religious ceremony which history documents as the location where one thousand Garifuna were kept before being scattered across Central America.  According to Ellis-Topsey, this year’s event was extraordinary as it came with a commitment from the island’s Prime Minister to reacquire the island of Balliceaux which is now privately owned.

According to the Loop News Outlet in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves the discussion of acquiring the island of Balliceaux has been discussed for a long time, but this year has seen significant progress in buying the property.  The news article noted that if the purchase does not go through then the government will seek to invoke the law in relation to the acquisition.