The Garifuna quests for labor contribute to the distinct nature of their migration history. Despite being forced into exile by the British from the Island of St. Vincent to Roatán in 1797, the Garifuna have managed to maintain their individual identities. Along the coast of Central America, in destinations such as Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, the Garifuna were not only drawn due to the proximity. These areas of agriculture, mahogany trade, carpentry, and turtle fishing attracted the Garifuna for the sake of expanding their labor market as a dominantly self-reliant people.
When it comes to beyond the Central American coast into North America, the Garifuna in Honduras is known to be the first to take on the mission to migrate. New York City is the biggest Garifuna community in the United States, with roughly 50,000 living in the five boroughs. The Bronx and Brooklyn are known to host distinct Garifuna communities, as their presence has shaped the aesthetic of the city’s ethnic diversity. In episode four of the Black Studies Across the Americas: The Garifuna Podcast, Garifuna activist Yolanda David discusses Garifuna culture in New York City and Honduran Garifuna migration history.
