Darius Avila and Paul Nabor Taking Music to its Highest Level in Belize

By Wellington C. Ramos

Through the efforts of the Battle of the Drums Secretariat Darius Avila, national recognition has been given to Paul Nabor the most popular Garifuna Parandero in the country of Belize. Not only was he recognized but the area Representative for Toledo West constituency Honourable Eden Martinez Minster of Human Development and Social Transformation, was able to convince his UDP government to grant Paul Nabor a monthly pension of $500 until his death for the lifetime contributions he has made to the music of Paranda throughout the entire country of Belize and internationally. Paranda music is very popular in the Garifuna community and was played by solo Guitarist and Musicians throughout all the Garifuna communities in Belize. Some of the famous Paranderos I remember when I was a child growing up were people like; Brother Nate Francisco, Koro Velasquez, Gabaga Castillo and Junior Aranda who is still playing his music today. They use to go around from house to house playing music for the families in Dangriga Town. Many times the Musician would get home but forgot where he left his instrument. Unfortunately, many of the young Garifuna children today are not interested in playing this type of music so these two men are making efforts to motivate them to appreciate and like this form of music.

The first Annual PG Day culminated in a Paranda Concert which was organized by the Battle of the Drums Secretariat on Saturday, January 29, 2010 to celebrate the birthday of legendary Parandero and King of Paranda, Paul Nabor. The Concert showcased the talents of various Paranda artists throughout the country of Belize. During the festivities, The Battle of the Drums Secretariat and Paul Nabor signed a Memorandum of Intent to establish an annual Paranda Awards Musical Fest. The proposed Paranda Fest will be held annually and will be a forum where Paranderos from across Belize and the Garifuna diaspora will meet to present, showcase, promote, and lounge their Paranda songs. The Fest will take the form of a concert and will provide significant financial and non-financial awards to Paranderos in different categories. The first Paranda Fest will be held in Punta Gorda Town on Saturday, January 26, 2013 and will offer awards for Paranda of the Year, Parandero of the Year, Paranda Group of the Year and Junior Parandero of the Year amongst others. Both male and female Paranda artists will be allowed to compete for the various categories of awards. The Annual Paranda Fest will be named “The Paul Nabor Paranda Fest”.

The Battle of the Drums Secretariat Darius Avila expressed his gratitude to the Minister for the award given to Paul Nabor and also thanked all the sponsors, visitors and the general public for making the 2nd Annual Paul Nabor Birthday Bash a festive one. The 3rd Annual Paul Nabor Birthday Bash and the 2nd Annual PG Day will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2012. This event main purpose will be to showcase the efforts these individuals are making to showcase the improvements made annually towards the growth of Paranda music. Paul Nabor has been a living inspiration to our youths to see such an elderly man getting up on the stage playing his instruments while dancing and singing in a festive mood.

For me Paul Nabor, reminds me of the late Mr. Peters the founder and head of the Boom and Shine Band who passed away last year. He is sadly missed by the people of Belize and especially the Creole people for the contributions he made in promoting Creole cultural music in Belize and throughout the entire world. In order for our cultural traditions to continue, we must teach all aspects of our culture to our children so that they can impart it to their future generations to come. Many Pranderos have died and lived in poverty before their death. This move by the Minister and the Government of Belize coupled with the founding of a new Garifuna Association should prevent future Paranderos from experiencing the same thing throughout their lives.