Searching for the Songs of Wanaragua: Film Screening & Conversation with Filmmakers

This short film offers an intimate look at the urgent effort to preserve the endangered language and culture of the Garifuna people in Honduras. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and collaborator Dr. Santiago Ruíz (University of Honduras), moderated by Prof. Deb Thomas (Penn Anthropology).

This event has already occurred

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March 18, 2026, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
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Class of '55, Room 241, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, Second Floor
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Open to the Public

Hosted by: Zilberman Center

A still from the short film "Searching for the Songs of Wanaragua" showing musicians with instruments and colorful dress

Travel across Honduras with Garifuna teacher Cesar Vargas and filmmaker Eli LaBan as they document traditional Wanaragua songs—vibrant expressions of regional Afro-Indigenous resistance and identity. Documenting performance and community conversations, their short film offers an intimate look at the urgent effort to preserve the endangered language and culture of the Garifuna people.

Following the film, join us for a Q&A with the filmmakers and collaborator Dr. Santiago Ruíz (University of Honduras), moderated by Prof. Deb Thomas (Penn Anthropology).

This event is co-sponsored by the Center for Experimental Ethnography and the Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies

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