Sun Bailante

Few in the UK or the world would have heard of Andy Palacio. This man was from Belize. A small country bordered with Mexico and Guatemala.

Guatemala is the only English speaking country in Central America and has a population of over 300,000 people.

It obtained independence from the UK in 1981, -same year as the death of Bob Marley- and is part of the Commonwealth.

This country has a very mixed population including descendents of Maya, African, European, East Indian, Arab and Chinese.

Andy Palacio was specifically from an ethnic group called the Garifuna.

The Garifuna have both African and indigenous origins and speak a unique language. They have been persecuted over the centuries and their population in Belize represents only a few hundred people.

Palacio fought for his people and to ensure that the Garifuna language stays alive.

 He has worked with his band the Garifuna Collective to modernise their music and make it approachable to the outside world.

The result was a final outstanding album ‘Watina’ with enchanting songs. Our preferred ones are Miami, Amunegu ‘In the times to come’, Baba ‘Father’ and Watina ‘I called out’.

This album is beautiful probably one of the best we bought for the last 5 years.

Andy has left our world to visit the angels in January 2008 but his spirit and goal are not forgotten.

Miami:

Watina:

Baba: