Pen Cayetano
Encyclopedia
Delvin "Pen" Cayetano is a Belizean artist
and musician
living in Germany 1990-2009. He and his German wife Ingrid returned to Dangriga (Belize) in July 2009 and they openend the Pen Cayetano Studio Gallery 1. August 2009.
. These are the two largest ethnically black groups in Belize.
Cayetano began painting in the late 1970s at a studio in Dangriga. He remained in Dangriga until 1990, when he moved to Germany. He has showcased all over the world and become one of Belize's foremost cultural ambassadors.
Cayetano is currently married with three children (Mal`, Beni and Ibo). His family band, "The Cayetanos", carry on their father's musical traditions.
came when he observed some younger fellows being rude at a ceremony to honor Garifuna pioneer Thomas Vincent Ramos
in 1978 (Ramos had convinced the government of Belize to celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day in honor of the arrival of the group to Belize in 1802 and 1832). They were singing songs in Garifuna with a worldly rhythm. Cayetano built on that foundation to create the "Turtle Shell Band" in 1979. Early band members included solo star Mohobub Flores and Peter "Poots" Flores (no relation). The band built its reputation in and around Dangriga until 1982, when it held its first performances in Belmopan
(earning 75 dollars) and Belize City
, where the group performed at nightclubs and in the Central Park to a cheering crowd until rain interrupted the proceedings. Eventually the band earned an appearance on local radio station Radio Belize and other groups picked up the sound. Cayetano continues to record and was awarded by the National Institute of Culture and History for his achievements in 2003.
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
and musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
living in Germany 1990-2009. He and his German wife Ingrid returned to Dangriga (Belize) in July 2009 and they openend the Pen Cayetano Studio Gallery 1. August 2009.
Biography
Cayetano is self-taught in the art of painting and music, and claims his influences come from the native Garifuna culture and that of the CreolesBelizean Kriol people
The Belizean Creoles, locally known as Kriols, are Creole descendants of English and Scottish log cutters, as well as Black African slaves brought to Belize. Other small minorities include Creoles and the Miskito from Nicaragua, Jamaicans, and other West Indians who assisted in the logging...
. These are the two largest ethnically black groups in Belize.
Cayetano began painting in the late 1970s at a studio in Dangriga. He remained in Dangriga until 1990, when he moved to Germany. He has showcased all over the world and become one of Belize's foremost cultural ambassadors.
Cayetano is currently married with three children (Mal`, Beni and Ibo). His family band, "The Cayetanos", carry on their father's musical traditions.
Contributions to punta rock
According to Cayetano, the origins of punta rockPunta rock
Punta rock or Belizean punta is a form of the traditional punta rhythm of the Garifuna people of Honduras, Belize and Guatemala.Punta rock is distinctive from traditional punta in that the language and concepts are more adapted to the general Belizean identity...
came when he observed some younger fellows being rude at a ceremony to honor Garifuna pioneer Thomas Vincent Ramos
Thomas Vincent Ramos
Thomas Vincent Ramos was a Belizean civil rights activist who promoted the interests of his Garifuna people, and is now considered a national hero.-Background:...
in 1978 (Ramos had convinced the government of Belize to celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day in honor of the arrival of the group to Belize in 1802 and 1832). They were singing songs in Garifuna with a worldly rhythm. Cayetano built on that foundation to create the "Turtle Shell Band" in 1979. Early band members included solo star Mohobub Flores and Peter "Poots" Flores (no relation). The band built its reputation in and around Dangriga until 1982, when it held its first performances in Belmopan
Belmopan
Belmopan , estimated population 20,000 is the capital city of Belize.Belmopan is located at , at an altitude of 76 metres above sea level. Belmopan was constructed just to the east of Belize River, inland from the former capital, the port of Belize City, after that city's near destruction by...
(earning 75 dollars) and Belize City
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in the Central American nation of Belize. Unofficial estimates place the population of Belize City at 70,000 or more. It is located at the mouth of the Belize River on the coast of the Caribbean. The city is the country's principal port and its financial and...
, where the group performed at nightclubs and in the Central Park to a cheering crowd until rain interrupted the proceedings. Eventually the band earned an appearance on local radio station Radio Belize and other groups picked up the sound. Cayetano continues to record and was awarded by the National Institute of Culture and History for his achievements in 2003.