Traditional Music of the Garifuna of Belize

Garifuna music contains Afro-Indian, Hispanic, and English Creole influences. Within Garifuna music, call and response chanting often overlaps to create a constant stream of sound. The traditional segunda (bass) and primero (treble) drums provide unrelenting polyrhythms for ceremonial dances like the chumba, the hunguhungu, and the punta. Other songs feature gentle strumming with solo singing and are intended for listening, rather than dancing, audiences. Liner notes include in-depth description of the history of the Garifuna people and their music.