Casabe-Making Legacy

Casabe Making Legacy: From Community Practice to Cultural Preservation

The alliance between African and Carib peoples on the island of Saint Vincent gave rise to the Garifuna people, whose language and cultural practices have been preserved and transmitted across generations. Following their forced displacement from Saint Vincent, Garifuna communities have continued to sustain ancestral traditions, including the practice of ereba-making. This tradition remains deeply significant, shaping Garifuna women’s connections to community, cultural continuity, and identity.

Today, Garifuna women continue the production of casabe, integrating both traditional and modern techniques. In some communities, mechanical tools such as gas- and electric-powered grinders and strainers have been incorporated into the process. However, many essential tools—including the griddle, sifter, and turner—remain artisanal, handcrafted by Garifuna men. This blend of innovation and tradition reflects the dynamic nature of cultural preservation within Garifuna communities.

Garifuna women making casabe in Dubugati and Tibiniriba. Photo @danva.foto