Aurelio: "I know I must continue the culture of my grandparents, of my ancestors, and find new ways to express it. Few people know about it, but I adore it. And it's something I must share with the world." (Photo from Belize's Channel 5)
Pelican, lend me your wings so that I can fly, sings Aurelio Martínez Suazo in Yalifu, the Garifuna word for pelican. The lyrics referred to the painful childhood separation from his father, who left him in Honduras to work in the United States, according to Chabil Mar Villa (April 19, 2017).
Mourners in Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, the Caribbean, South and North America, Europe and Asia are feeling a similar sadness at being separated from the Garifuna musician, who was an ambassador of his culture.
Who Are the Garifuna?
In the 18th century, on St. Vincent, conflict between the British and the Garifuna, led by defiant Paramount Chief Josep Chatoyer (Satuye), continued until 1796, when improved British armaments forced the Garifuna to accept exile, according to the Minority Rights Group (December 2017). Beginning in April, more than 5,000 were transported on British ships and abandoned on the deserted Honduran Bay island of Roatán.
Today, Garifuna are the third largest indigenous community in Honduras, numbering 43,111 people, according to UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency (May 2018). While there are significant Garifuna populations in cities, most are located in coastal communities in Honduras, Belize, Guatemala and Nicaragua.
Traditions are still important to the life and survival of the Garifuna people, according to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The elders maintain many of the ceremonies, festivals and oral tradition. However, economic migration, discrimination and the absence of the Garifuna language from the school system are endangering the culture's survival. Although the language is widely spoken, it is now taught in only one village.
Aurelio Martínez sings in his language.
"Garifuna music is a special kind of music. This culture comes from a special mix with African people and Arawak Indians on the Caribbean island, St. Vincent. From this mix comes a new culture, Garifuna culture, Garifuna community. It was declared by UNESCO as an Intangible (Cultural Heritage) of Humanity," said Aurelio Martínez, according to Belize's Channel 5 (March 18).
In addition, the ambassador of Garifuna culture held the distinction of serving as the first member of African descent in the National Congress of Honduras from 2006 to 2010.
"I Just Free Up and Dance"
Guests on the Belize-generated Internet platform, Reid Between the Lines, hosted by G. Michael Reid, paid homage to the musician on March 21.
"He had a way of soothing you, a reflection of who he was. I remember him like water. There was no conflict, no tension there," said Richard Holder, a visual artist and photographer, who had caught Aurelio on camera at concerts and in a Cayo photo shoot.
"There was a peacefulness in his music. It was so relaxing, almost meditative," said Aaron Anderson.
Susan Kiralis, who described herself as "100% Garifuna", saw Aurelio in concert in Punta Gorda, years ago. His visit to the southern Belizean town brought a "boost in morale" to her mother, aunt, uncle and the entire community. She went up on stage ("I just free up and dance"). Her teachers, who were in the audience, later threatened to expel her as she was underage. However, her father smoothed things over: "She's Garifuna. This is her culture. She wasn't drinking. How can you expel my daughter for partying with Aurelio?"
G. Michael Reid, who had met Aurelio once, called him impressive, down-to-earth, basic and wonderful. Several echoed those words.
The Plane Crashed After Roatán Takeoff
Aurelio Martínez Suazo, 55, was one of 12 people who died in a plane crash off the coast of Honduras on the evening of March 17, according to The Associated Press (March 18). The plane carried 17 passengers and crew, five of whom were rescued and hospitalized for injuries.
Aurelio Martínez was onboard the Lanhsa Airlines flight, which crashed into the sea while taking off from the island of Roatán, reported The Guardian (March 18). The aircraft, British Aerospace Jetstream 41, which was en route to La Ceiba on the mainland, "made a sharp turn to the right of the runway and fell into the water," said civil aviation official Carlos Padilla.
"The plane almost fell on us. I was fishing," a fisherman told Honduras' HCH Televisión.
The aircraft failed to reach full altitude and sank quickly after impact. Local fisherman rescued the survivors, said police, according to The Associated Press.
The Honduran Civil Aeronautics Agency said the crash is under investigation.
"Beloved Icon in Belize"
The following day, the Government of Belize responded with a statement:
"The Government and people of Belize are deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic passing of Aurelio Martínez, a Honduran musical and cultural icon, on March 17, 2025.
"Aurelio Martínez, affectionately known as Aurelio, had become the leading cultural ambassador of the Garifuna people and was a highly accomplished singer, percussionist, guitarist, and performer who shared the uniqueness of the Garifuna culture locally, regionally and internationally.
"He leaves a profound mark on Garifuna music and culture through the internationally acclaimed Lita Arian, which he founded, and his extensive discography . . .
"His musical legacy will live on through his songs and music and continue to inspire current and future generations of Garifuna musicians and delight audiences from around the world. Here, in Belize, he is a beloved icon who has left an indelible mark on our culture."
One of the Three Kings
Aurelio (1969-2025) was crowned one of the Three Kings of Garifuna music. The others were Belizeans Andy Vivian Palacio (1960-2008), who was born in Barranco, Toledo District, and Paul Nabor (1928-2014), who was born Alfonso Palacio in Punta Gorda, also Toledo District. Aurelio described Andy Palacio as "my first friend from Belize" and Paul Nabor as "my grandad, my dad", reported Belize's Channel 5 (March 18). Naguya Nei is tribute to them.
"There will never be another concert again with the Three Kings. I attended one in Brodies' (general store) parking lot some years ago," commented an audience member of Reid Between the Lines.
His Beginnings
Aurelio was born in the coastal hamlet of Plaplaya, Gracias a Dios Department of Honduras. He was drawn to music from a young age.
"'In the village where I was born, there is still no electricity,' he told Afropop Worldwide in 2006. 'When I was a child, I had very natural toys.
"'My first toy was a guitar I built for myself from wood taken from a fishing rod. So, that's how I played my first chords.'
"He learned these chords from his family, including his father, a well-loved local troubadour who improvised playful paranda songs that (graft) Garifuna roots to Latin songs. He became a drummer almost as soon as he began to walk, thanks to his uncles and grandfather. From his vocally talented mother, he learned to sing and picked up many songs she crafted. A prodigy of percussion, Martínez began performing at Garifuna ceremonies when just a boy, even at the most sacred events where children were usually not allowed."
At 14, he left Plaplaya to attend secondary school in La Ceiba, a provincial capital. He became a mainstay in the music scene, where he was best loved for his take on punta rock, the high-energy Garifuna genre, which was sweeping Central America.
We Won't Let This Culture Die
His career became global due to Andy Palacio, who organized a major Garifuna festival and invited him, reported Afropop Worldwide. The two became friends. Both shared hopes for the future of Garifuna music and culture.
Through Palacio, Aurelio met Ivan Duran, producer of Belize's Stonetree Records, and participated in a compilation of paranda, the Latin-inspired genre which was slowly dying out. With Duran, Aurelio recorded his first solo album, Garifuna Soul (2004).
After Andy Palacio's death at age 48 of a brain stroke, heart attack and respiratory failure, Aurelio took up his friend's mantle as bard and advocate for their people. Still, he continued to explore new approaches to Garifuna sounds, including links with West Africa.
Aurelio found himself in Senegal learning from the singer, Youssou N'Dour, as part of the Rolex Mentor and Protége Arts Initiative. He met the big names in Dakar, such as Orchestra Baobob, who recorded with him, as well as the unknowns hanging out in back alleys, according to Afropop Worldwide.
"We're not going to let this culture die," affirmed Aurelio. "I know I must continue the culture of my grandparents, of my ancestors, and find new ways to express it. Few people know about it, but I adore it. And it's something I must share with the world."
"Music Has No Borders"
According to Channel 5, producer Ivan Duran said, in the past:
"It's indescribable. . . . He is there and I really commend him because he is the most professional Garifuna artist I've ever had the privilege to work with. He is the most complete and, again, if he were to stop making music tomorrow, he would still be one of the greatest and it's because, at the human level, what Aurelio represents is something that doesn't happen often.
"Music has no borders like Yalifu, the pelican song that Aurelio wrote. Music has no borders and people have no borders, feelings have no borders and if you make music that touches you, that's all we care about."
Peter Gabriel, an English musician, a long-time supporter of world music and co-founder of WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) in England in the 1980s, paid tribute to Aurelio on Instagram, reported Rolling Stone (March 19):
"His music will, I am sure, live on with all its artistry, sensitivity and musicianship. The deep love he had for his own Garifuna people will always be remembered but it is, most of all, his generosity and warmth that will be badly missed by all of us who loved him."
The National Garifuna Council expressed its condolences, praising Aurelio's voice, music and dedication to preserving and promoting Garifuna culture, reported The San Pedro Sun (March 21).
"It Hurts"
Also, in Belize, Dennmark Flores, a lead drummer with the Garifuna Collective musical group, said that the loss of Aurelio affects the Garifuna worldwide. An estimated 100,000 Garifuna live in the United States, according to UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency.
"This one hit home," said Flores. "You do not have to be blood to be family. We, the members of the Garifuna Collective, along with the Belizean community, have been around this man for many years. That's family, and it hurts that he is no longer with us."
The Garifuna community in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, also mourns the musician's death. A group, led by island entrepreneur Julia Martine, is planning a vigil in the coming days, reported The San Pedro Sun.
Perhaps, the vigil will be held on Nine Night, nine days after Aurelio's death, with drumming, other music, food and drink to celebrate him as his spirit passes over to the other side. Nine Night is a Caribbean tradition.
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