Germán Romero Vargas, Las sociedades del Atlántico de Nicaragua en los siglos XVII y XVIII (Managua: Fondo de Promoción Cultural-BANIC, 1995) offers a comprehensive historical and ethnographic study of Nicaragua’s Atlantic Coast during the 17th and 18th centuries. Drawing on geography, archaeology, and archival sources, Romero Vargas examines the impact of European colonization, Indigenous resistance and adaptation, British influence, and the formation of multiethnic societies. The book traces shifting power structures, social hierarchies, and labor systems across diverse Indigenous groups, while also addressing the roles of African-descended populations and the histories of slavery in the region.
Lord Rhaburn is a pioneering Belizean musician known for his vibrant contributions to calypso, soca, reggae, and brukdown music. As the founder of the Lord Rhaburn Combo, he played a key role in shaping Belize’s musical identity and bringing local sounds to national and international stages. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, his band became a household name, blending infectious rhythms with social commentary and cultural pride. In addition to performing, he established the Lord Rhaburn Music Awards to celebrate and uplift Belizean artists.
Mangoes in the Morning (2019) is a bilingual children’s book by Nydia Taylor that recounts her childhood memories growing up in Corn Island, Nicaragua. Illustrated with Taylor’s own handcrafted arpilleras, the book preserves Afro-Caribbean cultural memory through both narrative and textile art.
Marton Robinson is a Costa Rican artist whose interdisciplinary practice is rooted in his background in Physical Education, Visual Communication, and an MFA from the University of Southern California. His work critically examines representations of Black identity in art history, mainstream culture, and official national narratives, with a focus on Costa Rica. Influenced by African-American traditions and Afro-Latinx experiences, Robinson uses irony and rhetorical strategies to question racial hierarchies and challenge the legacies of colonialism embedded in everyday life. His work contributes to contemporary conversations on the African Diaspora and has been exhibited at institutions such as The Getty Center, Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporáneo, Le Palais de Tokyo, and the 21st Biennial Contemporary Art Sesc Videobrasil.
Rodwell Morgan's Meet Corn Island!: The History of Corn Island in Relation to the Ebenezer Baptist Church (Kearny: Morris Publishing, 1996) traces the intertwined histories of Corn Island and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, one of its most influential institutions. Through historical narrative, personal reflection, and church records, Morgan documents the role of faith, education, and community leadership in shaping the island’s Afro-descendant identity. The book highlights the church’s foundational presence in Corn Island’s cultural and social life, offering a unique perspective on the island’s development through the lens of religious and communal history.
Memories of Mosquitia by Marc Rangel is a memoir that offers a personal and historical account of life on Nicaragua's Caribbean coast, particularly in the region known as Mosquitia. Born an expatriate U.S. citizen in Bluefields, Rangel reflects on his upbringing in a community shaped by Afro-Caribbean, Miskito, and Creole cultures. Through vivid storytelling, he captures the complexities of identity, colonial legacies, and the everyday experiences of coastal life. The book intertwines personal anecdotes with broader historical narratives, providing insight into the social and political dynamics of the region. Published in 2009 by Xlibris Corporation, Memories of Mosquitia serves as both a tribute to a unique cultural landscape and a critical reflection on the forces that have shaped it.
Mercy Sabal is one of Belize’s most respected and accomplished visual artists, best known for her handcrafted Mercy Dolls, Garifuna-inspired creations, and masterful quilts. With over 40 years dedicated to her craft, she has built a legacy that bridges cultural heritage and artistic innovation. Based in Ladyville, she continues to create and collaborate, notably with artist Salhudin Norris. Sabal’s work has been exhibited widely, both in Belize and internationally, including in Taiwan, New Orleans, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. In recognition of her contributions to the arts, she received the prestigious George Gabb Prize for Visual Arts. Her artistry was further celebrated in the groundbreaking 2021 virtual exhibit Mothers of Creation, and her quilt was selected for permanent display at the National Assembly. Most recently, her work was featured in the inaugural exhibition at the Museum of Belizean Art
Milton Hebbert Watson (also known as Black Snake) is a painter, composer, and self-taught visual artist from Tasbapounie, a small Afro-descendant fishing village on Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast. His interest in art began in childhood, drawing daily with whatever materials he could find such as cardboard scraps, homemade brushes fashioned from grass and feathers, and leftover house paint collected during neighbors’ renovations. After the 1979 Nicaraguan Revolution, Watson moved to Bluefields where he began teaching painting and drawing at the Casa de Cultura. His dedication to his craft earned him scholarships to study art first in Managua and later in Sweden, where he deepened his practice at Årjäng folkhögskola. Throughout his career, Watson has merged Caribbean imagery, musical sensibilities, and everyday scenes from coastal life to create vibrant works that reflect the resilience and creativity of Afro-Nicaraguan communities. His artistic journey is rooted in improvisation, collective support, and a commitment to telling stories from the Caribbean coast.
The Moravian Archives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is the official repository for the records of the Moravian Church in North America. Founded in 1742, it houses an extensive collection of manuscripts, photographs, maps, and printed materials that document the church’s missionary, cultural, and educational activities across the globe—including in the Caribbean, Central America, and Indigenous North America. The archives are especially significant for researchers studying colonial-era missions, transatlantic religious networks, and the lives of Black, Indigenous, and Afro-Indigenous communities encountered by Moravian missionaries.
Mr. Peters Boom and Chime, founded by legendary musician Wilfred Peters, is one of Belize’s most influential Brukdown bands. Emerging in the late 1970s, the group brought national attention to Brukdown music, a traditional Creole genre rooted in storytelling, social commentary, and rhythmic percussion. Their breakout hit “Salaman Gan” helped popularize the style across Belize, while international performances introduced global audiences to the vibrancy of Belizean cultural expression. Through music, Mr. Peters and his band played a key role in preserving and celebrating Belize’s Afro-Creole heritage.
