Belize 2019 | antinanco

Belize Adventures - Rainforest Ethnobotany and Indigenous Garifuna Culture

This Program is for Adults (Small Group, up to 10 people) - Belize - October 18th-25th, 2019

During this trip, we will be learning plants and exploring rainforest ethnobotany with local medicine people. This is a unique opportunity to discover rarely-taught knowledge from one of the world’s least-known ancient healing traditions. We will sit in ceremonies, tap into the sacred practices and nature-based traditions of Garifuna people, and learn about plant-spirit medicines and connections. We will contribute our efforts on a local farm and learn permaculture. The program also includes participation in local drum circles, making musical instruments, and exploring the beaches, rivers and mountains of the island.

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Overview:

• Airport pick up and drop off
• 8 days and 7 nights in primitive but comfortable communal arrangements. We will stay in eco-cabins, bungalows and dorms as we travel through the country. Must bring a hammock or sleeping bag. Beds and bedding will be provided on some days but not all.
• 3 delicious meals a day. All meals will be prepared by us communally, except:
• Welcoming dinner will be prepared for us by local Dangriga chefs
• Concluding dinner and celebration will be at a local Punta Gorda restaurant

• When on the go, simple brown bag lunches of wholesome fish, fruit, Johnny cakes and drink will be provided

• There will be some free unstructured time to explore hiking trails, beaches and to simply rest and reflect

Highlights:

• Learning plants, plant-spirit medicines, permaculture, rainforest ethnobotany
• Gaining deep insight into working with plants and vibrational frequencies of plant spirits
• Learning from local medicine people about practices of ancient earth-based Garifuna tradition
• Visit to the Maya Mountain Research Institute to learn permaculture and tap into the rhythms of the jungle
• Ceremonies and local music performances
• Hiking the hill to the Eladio Pop food forest and cacao groves
• Drum lesson and rattle making at Warasa Garifuna School

• Community service project on a local farm
• Exploring Columbia River by boat and visiting Maya villages
• Exploring local culture, towns and beaches

Who is This Designed For:

The Program is geared for people with passion for plants, explorations, self-growth and learning. The program is designed for a wide array of skill levels from novice to high skilled folks. Physical mobility is required. Participants should be prepared for primitive sleeping arrangements and will need to bring hammocks and sleeping bags.

You Will You Get Out of This Program:

• Deeper insight into plant-human connection and indigenous practices
• Understanding of permaculture, agroforestry and sustainable gardening
• Skills on growing food forests and self-sustaining polycultures
• Understanding of biochar solutions
• Practical tips from observations of off-grid projects
• Insights on native plant propagation, restoration and garden design
• Familiarity with cultural elements of food and food processing, shelter, clothing

• Musical instrument making and drumming

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Itinerary:

FEES

$1,550

Includes meals, lodging, classes, activities, airport and in-country transfers. *airfare is not included

Application Fee: $65

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APPLICATION

Click here to apply

Interviews are conducted in June of 2019.

TERMS

First program payment of $1,000 is due by July 1, 2019. The remaining balance of $550 is due by September 1, 2019. Payments are not refundable after August 1st, 2019.

Participants are responsible to obtain trip cancellation and medical travel insurance prior to the trip.

• Day 1 (Oct. 18th) - land in Belize City. Transport from airport to Hopkins. Lunch en route. Staying overnight in Hopkins. Welcoming dinner, introductions, festivities.
• Day 2 (Oct 19th) Morning water greeting and ceremony. Bathing in the sea. Herbal bathing, plant picking, herbal cleansing. In the afternoon, we are moving to Punta Gorda. Lunch en route. Stop over at Seine Bight, Placencia Peninsula, meeting local community. Coming to Dr. Arzu Mountain Spirit's home. Communal dinner together.

• Day 3 (Oct. 20th) Farm day. We will do gardening work on the farm, make lunch at the farm on a fire. At night, we will go to town. Free time. Communal dinner at night.

• Day 4 (Oct 21st) Full day at Warasa Garifuna Drum School. We will have a drum lesson and make native shakers to bring home.

• Day 5-6 (Oct 22nd and 23rd) We are going to the Maya Mountain Research Farm. Trip up the Columbia river. Two days of learning about agroforestry, sustainable agriculture, permaculture, green technologies. Exploring food forests and hiking trails. Spending two nights in the depth of the rainforest. Living off the land, communal cooking
• Day 7 (Oct. 24th) Gardening at the farm. Visiting local farmers market. Free time. Concluding dinner and celebration. Going to bed early.
• Day 8 (Oct. 25th) Going home. Early bus. Breakfast en route.