Join one of the McDonald's family expert drummers and teachers for an authentic Garifuna drumming lesson under our beautiful thatch palapa on the edge of Punta Gorda town. Your teacher will give you unique insight into the history and background of this UNESCO recognized culture and music. He will then teach you the Paranda, one of the most well-known Garifuna beats, as popularised by the legendary Paul Nabor and Aurelio Martinez. He will then move onto the other popular beats in traditional Garifuna music, such as punta, chumba, hungu-hunga and gunjei, moving along at a pace that suits you. Your instructor will also sing the songs that accompany each traditional rhythm, allowing you to hear the enchanting melody and lyrics of songs handed down through the generations.
The McDonald family have all been playing drums and singing since they were young children and grew up performing with the family group, Umalali. They have also played along with Paul Nabor, Aurelio Martinez, Andy Palacio, and more modern Belizean bands including Sweet Pain and Griga Boyz.