They gradually integrated with the native Carib and Arawak people. Later exiled to Roatan, Honduras,Central America. Ruben Reyes, Founder:
Ruben Reyes was born in the City of Tela, Atlantida, Honduras. At age nine his parents moved to the Garifuna village of El Triunfo de la Cruz .
2009 Founded the Garifuna Museum of Los Angeles, located at 1523 W. 48th Street, Los Angeles, California, 90047. Th
e museum consists of a room for Garifuna artifacts, a room for library and audio-visual, a room for paintings, a wall of Garifuna heroes and a room for lecturing people about the Garifuna culture and content of the Museum and to conduct cultural activities. The space is provided by The Blazers Learning Center.
2009-2012 Began and completed the filming of "Garifuna in Peril" movie in association with the cinematographer Alí Allié, the filming took place in Los Angeles and in Honduras. Ruben’s writings reflect the standardized Garifuna writing of 1995 in Ciriboya, Colon, Honduras,
TOUR GUIDE: CYNTHIA LEWIS VOLUNTEER SINCE 2018
1. Tell us about your success with the Garifuna Museum of Los Angeles? I believe my success with GaMOLA is a dream that I had continuously about seeking a museum. That’s what I feel is driving me still. It is to open up awareness of my culture to the diaspora of the Garinagu people. So many like me know bits of our ceremonies and dance. But where, when, how, and why was not explained. With the help of people volunteering to maintain and update this wonderful museum, now all can come and learn. The founder Ruben Reyes is my main source of info. The library we have has opened up a whole new world for an adventure into our culture. That is where I am now trying to read and absorb the richness of a never enslaved people. Tour Guide Bootsy Rankin: Volunteer since 2019:
Hails from Dangriga, Belize. He is a musician and Punta Rock Legend. His inspiration is Pen Cayetano. His music brings honor and attention to the Garifuna Culture. Singin "Chatoyer" our infamous Chief. His voice projects strongly singing songs about Yurumein whch is St Vincent. Also was in the movie "Garifuna in Peril".
