The oral history of Garifuna culture is kept with songs. Garifuna songs are most often telling a story, recounting a specific event that marked the songwriter. Sometimes however, there are more than one side to the story! In Uraga, the woman is responding to a story that was told about her. Early in the morning as a party is dying down, she tells people she wants to set the record straight. She is worried that her story will end, incomplete. The ending of the song explicitly highlights the tension felt within the oral culture when stories go untold, as the group vocal sings “this is where the story will end” while the lead vocal answers, “is this really the end?”
from
Aban,
released September 15, 2019
Marcela Aranda: Lead Vocals
Mohobub Flores: Lead Vocals and Turtle Shells
Desiree Diego: Vocals and Maracas
Sheldon Petillo: Vocals, Claps
Emilio Thomas: Vocals, Claps
Rolando “Chichiman” Sosa: Garifuna Primero Drum, Conch Shell, Clave
Denmark Flores: Garifuna Drums
Sam Harris: Electric Guitar
Guayo Cedeno: Lead Electric Guitar
Eli Levinson: Sampling and programming
Ivan Duran: Bass, Electric Guitar and Field Sounds
Al Ovando: Electric Guitar, Claps
Umalali Field Vocal Recording by Marcelina “Masagu” Fernandez Guity, Corozal, Honduras, circa 1997