Maroon Creole Drum School

Maroon Creole Drum School The Maroon Creole Drum School is driven to present, preserve and further develop Creole music within Please feel free to message us with any addition questions.

Under the direction of Emmeth Young, one of Belize's few traditionally based Creole Drummers, the Maroon Drum school aims to educate, share and preserve the music and tradition of Creole Drumming. At its new location in Punta Gorda, The Maroon Creole Drum School offers Classes in Creole Drumming, Drum building courses and Drum performances. Maroon Creole Drum School also facilitates the local project for youths called DRUMS NOT GUNS. Maroon Creole Drum School What is
Drums Not Guns ? It all began with a conversation the day of the second funeral in a couple of months where we, residents of Gales Point Manatee, buried another youth that died from gun violence. Emmeth and I wondered if there would be a gun salute to honor the deceased. The previous funeral did. This seemed very disturbing to me. The same instrument that took the youths life would be used to honor the dead youth at his funeral as a gun salute. It bothered me to think of putting a soul to rest with the same sound resonating in the air that this soul heard moments before he took his last breath. It did not seem like an honor to me but a reminder of the violent and senseless tragedy that it truly is. This profoundly ironic gesture of firing guns over the grave of a life cut short by a bullet and then telling him to rest in peace provoked intense sadness with everyone in the conversation. It was a disgrace and an insult in my opinion to glorify the same thing that took this young man’s life. Emmeth was talking about how he should bring his drum and play that instead of them firing off guns. Then he said it; “Drums not guns!”. We all looked at each other with our eyes real wide and exclaimed almost in unison: “That’s it! Drum not guns!”
The brain storms began as we thought about how youths should be encouraged to take pride in their culture and start making some music and art to occupy their minds and stay away from the gangsters waiting around every corner. Waiting to convince that young idle mind to join them in crime. Waiting to offer that sense of belonging and encouragement thru the most profoundly misguided means. How about that? Let’s look deep inside ourselves and find that beat that lifts our souls and brings us to that common ground where we can enjoy the music. Why not? If you were born with a heart then you were born with rhythm. If you were born with a soul then you were born with the ability to love. If you were born with a brain then you were born with the ability to reason and create. It’s in all of us to do the right thing and we have to make sure we don’t lose sight of that. It’s up to us adults to help guide the youths in the right direction. It’s never too late to make a change for the better unless you are being put to your final rest. If you are still above ground then you have time to put down the gun and pick up a drum. Put down your fist and resolve the hatred and anger and speak the rhythms of your soul. DRUM LESSONS:

BZ$20 Per Hour One-On-One Private Lessons

10/12/2025
10/12/2025

Krismos Bram and Sambai Added to UNESCO Heritage List

Belize’s Krismos Bram and Sambai traditions of Gales Point “Malanti” have been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The decision was made this morning on during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee in New Delhi, India.

This is Belize’s second element on the list, following the Garifuna Language, Music and Dance. A Belizean delegation from NICH, the National Kriol Council, and Gales Point cultural practitioners attended the event, where Master Drummer Emith Young and Master Dancer Sharlene Andrewin gave a live demonstration.

ISCR Director Rolando Cocom said the recognition strengthens community efforts to safeguard their traditions and reflects Belize’s commitment to protecting cultural heritage.

We are so proud to announce that the Krismos Bram and Sambai of Gales Point, Manatee has been inscribed at UNESCO. An ho...
10/12/2025

We are so proud to announce that the Krismos Bram and Sambai of Gales Point, Manatee has been inscribed at UNESCO. An honour for Belize and a well deserved recognition for the people of Malanti. Congratulations!
https://www.facebook.com/share/16fuMBxFGx/

Belize’s Krismos Bram and Sambai Inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Belize proudly announces that the Krismos Bram and Sambai of Gales Point “Malanti” Village is now officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as adopted at the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee in New Delhi, India, on 9 December 2025.

This historic achievement marks Belize’s second element on the Representative List, following the inscription of Garifuna Language, Music and Dance.

Belize’s delegation to UNESCO reflects a national and community-based effort to safeguard and celebrate living heritage:
● Arreini Palacio-Morgan, UNESCO Secretary General, National Commission of Belize
● Rolando Cocom, Director, ISCR-NICH
● April Martinez, Living Heritage Officer, ISCR-NICH
● Selene Solis, National Kriol Council
● Emith Young, Master Drummer, Gales Point Village
● Sharlene Andrewin, Master Dancer, Gales Point Village

Speaking at the event, Director Rolando Cocom remarked that “We are confident that the people of Gales Point and the many practitioners, knowledge bearers, and advocates involved will see this as a meaningful step forward: one that strengthens their efforts to safeguard their values, knowledge, and skills. For Belize, this moment is also a reflection of our strong and ongoing commitment under the 2003 Convention.”

The delegates of the UNESCO Meeting were then treated with a short demonstration of the Krismos Bram and Sambai, presented by Master Drummer Emith Young and Master Dancer Sharlene Andrewin from Gales Point Village.

This nomination was possible thanks to the direct community involvement of Gales Point Village and National Kriol Council and the stewardship of the National Institute of Culture and History and its division of the Institute for Social and Cultural Research under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science and Technology led by the Hon. Francis Fonseca.

19/11/2024

Happy Garifuna Settlement Day Belize!

26/10/2024

Safeguarding & Preservation of our Kriol Kolcha is always at the forefront of our mission. We encourage our future generation ages 13 - 17 years to sign up for The Hub's Kriol Heritage Program.
Every Friday effective November 8th
Time: 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Stop By or Call: 227 - 4003/3992 to Sign Up

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