WANARAGUA in Los Angeles
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The above picture portrays Ruben Reyes Jr. 9.
1997 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
The Wanaragua Dance Group was founded to preserve the Warrior style dance of the Garifuna people, it was an ordeal because they did not have the necessary accessories to make the masks, the knee rattle “iyawui”, clothing, crown, etc. The people wanted to participate in the Christmas first Wanaragua dance of 1997, but some did not now how to go about finding the uniform for the dance.
In Octuber of that same year Ruben Reyes Sr. when to visit some friends in San Diego, while walking by the beach he entered into a souvenir store and found a ornamental light filled with small shells, the same type of shells used on the knee rattler for the Wanaragua. he bought two of the ceiling lamps and brought them back to Los Angeles. When Mr. Reyes arrived to LA with his findings he present it to the group and the women offered to attach them onto canvas, preparation started, everybody started to become more involve, practice started because they realized that the more important element had been found in San Diego.
From then on, the boy started to come to Mr. Reyes house every Sunday for practice, each had their uniform made. There were approximately three experience dancers, the rest had never dance wanaragua before, the experience dancers gave instructions to the new wanaragua to be.
Despite the fact that some of the experience dancer were reluctant to move ahead with the plan due to the difficulties in gathering and building the accessories for the uniform, the spirit and the enthusiasm was stronger in those who were new and wanted to dance for the Fedu.
On December 25 everybody was ready, several cars and drivers were lined up in front of Mr. Reyes house, all appointment had been made, and the day was booked. The colorful uniformed group of about 17 men and 1 child were ready for the first Fedu presentation of Wanaragua in Los Angeles. At 8:45am a caravan of small cars started rolling on Los Angeles streets in rout to the first appointment of 9:00 am. By they arrival to the first stop there were already a crow awaiting in circle in the front yard. The Wanaragua Dance Group had just made their first appearance which lasted until 7:45 pm that day. Rumors of the excellent show spread so quickly that a second appearance was necessary for the New Year day.
Although Mr. Ruben Reyes was the director of the group during its creation and first participation, Mr. Flavio Alvarez was designated to carry on with the leadership of the Wanaragua dance Group for the second and subsequent years. Los Angeles have been enjoying the presence of the Garifuna warrior dancers year after year, and more and more people are becoming dependent of this marvelous cultural Garifuna dance.
In December 2009, the Wanaragua Dance Group of Los Angeles will be celebrating their 12th birth-date.
Wanaragua Dance, LA
