About the artists

Isabel Isaac Flores I first heard that name in 1963 when there was a cultural event happening in Dangriga “The TEIRAH”. Isabel Flores and his brother Una was performing as knights on the all day show. Afterwards I didn't meet Isabel Flores until 1978 when he was working intensively with his drum& dance group. I also performed as a dancer with him and became an apprentice for building and playing Garifuna drums. Flores was a great storyteller and told me about his performances in the Caribbean, USA and Mexico. He always insisted that he never got any money for his musical shows. Many foreigners and locals interviewed him about culture and other Garifuna aspects. Isabel Flores was a multitalented cultural man: drum- and basket maker, footballer, boat builder, net maker, fisher, guitar player, father, farmer and much more. He was born in Tela Honduras 1916 and died in June 1988 in Dangriga Belize. His parents migrated to British Honduras in the early twenties and settled down in Youtown, a village near Hopkins. His father died shortly after arrival and his mother Ola, a lover of music, founded a group where the young Flores started his drumming career. With his drum& dance group Isabel Flores maintained the culture and became the leading figure for the Garifuna people. He will be remembered for his unique and disciplined drum playing. Isabel Flores is the best drummer I've ever met. We thank him for his great contribution to the Garifuna Heritage. You can hear his pure voice on the song “AGUYU BABA“. Listen to the greatest Garifuna drummer ever. - Pen Cayetano 2006

Lady Lard (Leocardia Bernadez Ruiz Mariano) In her one of her songs „Decienariagui Aluwahe Larainura“ Lady Lard sings about the time when she got ill and had to travel all the way to the Corozal District and ending up in the hospital where only Mestizos surrounded her. The majority of Lady Lard lyrics are about death or herotic tragedies. Her raspy voice echoes the mourning effect that created the song and the occasion. She painted a scenery and atmosphere in her reverie composition. I started listen to Lady Lard's music in 1997 and got the message right away: her songs come straight from the heart and she sings about what is in front of her. Living on the Stann Creek Valley Road in Promise Land Dangriga I usually saw her on my way to the farm. That time I didn't realize that “Auntie” was a singer and composer - the great Lady Lard. She was born on December 12, 1915, in Stann Creek, British Honduras (now Belize). Involved in the Dugu ceremony as a lead singer she also participated in many aspects of the Garifuna culture. She died peacefully in Belize City in April 1998 mother of four children Verona, also a singer, the late Sarita, a spirit medium (WEBOÚ), son John Mariano spiritual leader, Amandeo Mariano, a Garifuna craftsman. Lady Lard is the Mahalia Jackson of Garifuna songs. Her expressive powerful and sophisticated lyrics will inspire a new generation to come. My ambition was to meet and also to sing along with her. But it didn't happen. She will be remembered as the composer and singer of Garifuna classical Punta songs which will remain with us until the end of time. Lady Lard we all love and respect you. - Pen Cayetano 2006