Garifuna

noun

Ga·​ri·​fu·​na ˌgär-ē-ˈfü-nə 

1

plural Garifuna or Garifunas : a member of a people of African and Caribbean Indigenous descent that live mainly along the Caribbean coast of northern Central America

called also Black Carib

2

: the Arawakan language containing many Cariban elements that is spoken by the Garifunas

Examples of Garifuna in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During a lighthearted stop of what proved to be a controversial Caribbean tour for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee in March 2022, William and Kate showed off their moves during a traditional Garifuna festival in Belize. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 20 Nov. 2023

Gutierrez writes about the Caribbean coasts of Central America, where the Garifuna use plantains, coconut milk and allspice to flavor many dishes. —G. Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2023

From there, Garifuna people began migrating to other nearby countries. —Chelsea Hylton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2023

Belizean Dreams Resort, Hopkins This intimate beachfront resort is located in Hopkins, a friendly southern Belize fishing village considered to be the center of the Garifuna culture. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2023

Cultural heritage: Garifuna, Honduran Located in: Houston, Texas Hailing originally from Honduras, lifestyle blogger Alexa has been living in Houston, Texas for 11 years. —Kaitlyn McNab, Allure, 17 Nov. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Garifuna garífuna, a self-designation; akin to Taino caribe, caribi Carib, Island Carib (Arawakan language of the Lesser Antilles) Callípona, a self-designation, Guianan Carib kariʔna Carib, person

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 2