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by Lucia Cayetano-Guity (Author)
Nestled along the Caribbean coast of Guatemala, where the Rio Dulce meets the sea, lies Livingston, La Buga to the Garifuna people. From this vibrant, sea-swept town begins the life story of a Garifuna woman whose journey spans continents, cultures, and generations.
Born into a people shaped by migration and resilience, she traces her ancestry back to St. Vincent, where the Garifuna resisted colonization before being exiled and dispersed across Central America. In her memoir, she weaves the history of her people with her own experiences, childhood memories in Livingston, migration to the United States, the pursuit of higher education, and a career devoted to writing and human connection.
This is not just a personal memoir, but a cultural testimony. With vivid storytelling, she illuminates the traditions of the Garifuna, its music, language, food, and spirituality-showing how identity survives across borders and generations. From the Dugu ceremonies honoring ancestors to the joyful rhythms of Punta, her reflections reveal a culture that continues to thrive against the odds.
More than a recollection of one life, this book is an affirmation of heritage, community, and the universal search for belonging. It is a tribute to the endurance of the Garifuna people and an invitation for readers everywhere to witness the strength found in memory, migration, and identity.
