Battle of the Drums

The Battle of the Drums Competition and Show is a drumming competition and show that allows groups to compete and display their musical artistry in playing five (5) different categories of Garifuna drumming.

Enjoy the tasty Garifuna foods at the Food Fete, such as: Cassava Bread, Cassava Pudding, Hudut, Tapou and more! And witness the “Taste of Garifuna” cooking competition.

The first Battle of the Drums was held in Punta Gorda Town on November 17, 2006, and was well received by spectators from home and abroad. In 2007, there was even a bigger audience and greater enthusiasm. In 2008 the event evolved into an international Garifuna drumming competition and show involving drumming groups from various parts of our country as well as from neighboring Guatemala and Honduras. This competition and show have become a major local and tourist attraction and a catalyst for significant economic activity in the Punta Gorda area during the period when it is hosted. The Battle of the Drums Competition and Show is held every year on Saturday immediately preceding the 19th day of November.

The proceeds from the Battle of the Drums Initiative are strictly used to pursue various cultural retrieval activities.