Warasa Drum School, Punta Gorda Belize
Warasa Drum School is located in Punta Gorda in the southern end of Belize. Punta Gorda. Ray as he is called teaches drumming and the making of drums, the songs and dances of the Garifuna people in this video we dropped in and Ray, and he allowed us to video some of things you can do there .. please contact the school for a list of everything they do. We had a great afternoon and will go back again .. thanks to Ray and his students, Thomas and his son Sarkan..
#DrMucker, #bonetiredflatbroke, #Belize, #PuntaGorda, #warasadrumschool,
Punta with Umalali Group & Warasa Garifuna drummer
Umalali Group in Punta Gorda, Belize, perform punta with Warasa's drummer, Ronald Raymond McDonald, on the small Primero drum.
Umalali Group is one of the most respected and well-known traditional Garifuna drumming and singing groups in Belize, and have been together for over 30 years. Umalali was founded by Ray's father, Mario McDonald, and Ray often plays with them as well as with his own group.
Please check out our other videos and website for further information on Garifuna drumming and culture
How to Play Punta - with Warasa Garifuna Drum School
Warasa's Ronald Raymond McDonald demonstrates how to play the Garifuna rhythm Punta on the Segunda drum, and then performs a short song with his father Mario and a friend.
For those interested in Garifuna drumming, please see our other videos on Garifuna drumming techniques or visit our Garifuna drumming school in Punta Gorda, Belize.
Punta is the most popular and well-known Garifuna rhythm, and was adapted into the more modern music punta rock, which is the most popular music in Belize and is also popular in Honduras and parts of Guatemala.
Punta is much faster than Paranda, and Punta dancers try to outdo each other with fancy footwork and fast hip and ass-shaking sexy style.
For more information and to book a real lesson, please go to
Traditional Garifuna drumming - Paranda with Warasa
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Traditional paranda with Ronald Raymond McDonald at the Warasa Garifuna Drum School in Punta Gorda, Belize.
On bass segunda drum and vocals: Mario McDonald
On shakas and vocals (yellow, white & black dress): Ms Virg
On shakas and vocals (grey and white dress): Natividad Arzu
Yurumein in Punta Gorda, Belize
Warasa's Ronald Raymond McDonald playing the small Primero drum during the Garifuna Yurumein re-enactment of the arrival of the Garifuna people on the shores of Belize. Small boats paddled by Garifuna families row to shore to request permission to land from the Governor. He refuses twice, but finally allows them to settle the sparely populated southern coast of Belize.
Garifuna Settlement Day 2011, Punta Gorda, Belize
Locals celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day, or Yurumein on 19 November 2011. Warasa Garifuna Drum School's Ronald Raymond McDonald leads the parade on the small Primero drum with his father's group, Umalali into the Catholic church.
For more information on Garifuna culture, drumming and music, please see our website.
Belize Independence Day Punta with Warasa Drummer and Umalali Group
Locals celebrate 30th Independence Day celebrations in Punta Gorda, Belize.
Warasa Garifuna Drum School's Ronald Raymond McDonald is playing punta songs with his father's Umalali group.
Umalali are one of the most respected and long-standing Garifuna groups in Belize, and have travelled all over Central America to perform since being formed over 30 years ago.
Please see our other videos and website for information on how to play punta and the other core Garifuna rhythms.
Drumming in a Garifuna School in Punta Gorda, Belize
How to Play Paranda - with Warasa Garifuna Drum School
Warasa's Ronald Raymond McDonald demonstrates how to play Paranda - one of the core 7 rhythms in Garifuna music, on the Segunda drum, and the plays a short song with his father Mario and one of his friends.
Paranda songs are often very soulful, and often involve guitar accompaniment. Well known Paranderos (paranda musicians) include Paul Nabor, who lives in Punta Gorda, Belize and is friendly with Ray and supports Warasa, and Aurelio Martinez from Honduras (who Ray has also drummed with).
Paranda is the simplest beat to learn, and is the starting point for all Garifuna drummers.
Visit for more information and how to book a real life lesson.
Independence Day Children's Jonkunu Contest, Punta Gorda Belize
Warasa Garifuna Drum School's Ronald Raymond McDonald plays the Primero (small) drum to contestants in the 30th Independence Day children's Jonkuna competition in Punta Gorda, Belize.
Belize celebrated 30 years of Independence on 21st September 2011.
Jonkunu, John Canoe or Wanaragua is the warrior dance of the Garifuna. Unlike the other rhythms in Garifuna music, in Jonkunu, the Primero drummer must follow the actions and footwork of the dancer, instead of the other way around. For this reason, learning to play Jonkunu is very hard, as the Primero drummer needs to have even faster and better improvisation than usual.
Jonkunu dancers often also wear elaborate outfits with pale-faced masks, as the dance is used to mimic white slave owners.
For more information, please see
How to Play Chumba - with Warasa Garifuna Drum School
Warasa's Ronald Raymond McDonald demonstrates how to play Chumba - one of the core 7 rhythms in Garifuna music - on the Segunda drum, and then plays a short song with his father Mario and one of his friends.
Chumba is traditionally a rhythm and song that is sung and danced by women. Women usually sing chumba songs about everyday activities such as farming, cooking etc.
Visit for more information and how to book a real life lesson.
How to Play Gunjei - with Warasa Garifuna Drum School
Warasa's Ronald Raymond McDonald demonstrates how to play Gunjei rhythm on the Segunda drum. Gunjei is one of the 7 core Garifuna rhythms.
For more information and to book a real life lessons, please go to
Warasa Garifuna Drum Group at Marian's
Warasa Garifuna Drum Group performing at Marian's Bayview Restaurant in Punta Gorda, Belize.
Ronald Raymond (Ray) McDonald on Segunda (bass) drum, younger brother Ivan McDonald on Primero, Mario McDonald (dad) on vocals and shakas, Tila McDonald (aunt) on vocals and shakas.
Please see the Warasa Garifuna Drum School site for more information.
Garifuna Settlement Day Parade 2011, Punta Gorda Belize
Locals celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day, the anniversary of the arrival of the Garifuna on the shores of Belize, with a parade to church past St Peter Claver primary school in Punta Gorda, Belize. The parade features local drummers and singers, including Warasa's Ronald Raymond McDonald playing the small Primero drum.
For more information on Garifuna culture and drumming, please see our website
Children's Independence Day Dance Contest, Punta Gorda Belize
Children's dance contest in Punta Gorda, Belize.
For more traditional Belizean music and dance, see Warasa's other videos featuring traditional Garifuna drumming.
Play Paranda Livingston Style - with Warasa
Did you know that they play Paranda differently in Belize, Guatemala and Honduras? Here, Warasa's Ronald Raymond McDonald demonstrates how to play Paranda Livingston, Guatemala style, on the bass Segunda drum. He then performs a song with his father's Umalali group in Punta Gorda, Belize.
For more information on Garifuna drumming and culture, and to book a lesson, please check out our website
How to Play the Hungu Hungu - with Warasa
Warasa Garifuna Drum School's Ronald Raymond McDonald demonstrates how to play the Hungu Hungu rhythm on the bass Segunda drum, and then plays two songs with members from his father's Umalali group in Punta Gorda, Belize.
For more information on Garifuna drumming and culture, and to arrange a lesson, please visit our website
Belize Independence Day Paranda with Umalali Group, Punta Gorda
Warasa's Ronald Raymond McDonald plays the small Primero drum with his father Mario's group, Umalali, during 30th Independence Day celebrations in Punta Gorda, Belize.
See our other videos for the history of and how to play Paranda, and our website for more details.
Garifuna Drum Making in Hopkins Village
Warasa Garifuna Drum Group playing Chumba
Warasa Garifuna Drum Group performing the Chumba rhythm and songs at Marian's Bayview Restaurant in Punta Gorda, Belize.
Ronald Raymond (Ray) McDonald on Segunda (bass) drum, younger brother Ivan McDonald on Primero, Mario McDonald (dad) on vocals and shakas, Tila McDonald (aunt) on vocals and shakas.
Please see the Warasa Garifuna Drum School site for more information.
warasadrumschool.com