An exciting time on the Wonders of Africa Zoom Conference which held on Friday November 6, 2020, Featuring panelists from Kenya, Namibia and Zimbabwe, which also marked the first appearance of the first African in Diaspora to present on the Wonders of Africa webinar, Kumi Rauf of Traveling Black, USA told the audience that he created his company to destroy the stereotypes about the Diasporan and the African; and he realized that to be able to do that, it was necessary for both sides to meet each other.
He presented Belize as one of his favourite places in the world, stating that the Garifuna and Belize is so rich in culture.
Belize is located in Central America and it is bordered to the north by Mexico, to the south and west by Guatemala and to the east by the Caribbean Sea. A diverse country with various cultures and languages, with the lowest population density in Central America.
Belize is also known for its extreme biodiversity and distinctive ecosystems. On the coast, there is a swampy coastal plain with mangrove swamps.
It is a part of the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot and it has many jungles, wildlife reserves, a large variety of different species of flora and fauna and the largest cave system in Central America. Some species of Belize’s flora and fauna include the black orchid, the mahogany tree, the toucan and tapirs.
Further explained that, most people only travel to the northern Belize, go to couple of islands have a good time and then go back home. They don’t have an idea of what they’ve missed going to the southern Belize called The Hopkins Village which according to him looks like a mini Accra.
Hopkins is a small Garifuna village on the coast of the Stann Creek District in Belize, known as the “coast with the most” in Belize. The village lies south of the town of Dangriga, where the closest airstrip is located. It is considered by some Belizeans to be the cultural center of the Garifuna population in Belize.
Over 3000 residents live in Hopkins with nothing but black people who specializes in fishing, farming, and the booming hospitality industry as there are lot of similarities between the Garifuna culture food and the Western culture food
Hopkins welcomes visitors with warm hospitality and a safe environment.
Hopkins was recently voted “The Friendliest Village in Belize” by Belize’s First Magazine. The village boasts a rustic local beach vibe with many mom and pop restaurants, small bars, and gift shops.
