Paul Nabor

Last updated
Paul Nabor
Birth nameAlfonso Palacio
Born(1928-01-26)26 January 1928
Punta Gorda, British Honduras
(now Belize)
Died22 October 2014(2014-10-22) (aged 86)
Punta Gorda, Belize
Genres Garifuna music
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active1946–2013
Associated actsThe Garifuna Collective

Paul Nabor (26 January 1928 – 22 October 2014), born Alfonso Palacio, was a Garifuna singer and musician from Punta Gorda, Belize. [1] He is often credited with popularizing paranda, a style of traditional Garifuna music, and is considered to have been one of the most talented musicians of the genre. [2]

Punta Gorda, Belize Town in Toledo, Belize

Punta Gorda, known locally as P.G., is the capital and largest town of Toledo District in southern Belize. Punta Gorda is the southernmost sizable town in the nation, with a population of about 5,000 people. Although the town bears a Spanish name, its inhabitants are mostly Kriol/English-speaking, and are primarily of Garifuna, East Indian, Kriol, and Maya descent.

Belize country in Central America

Belize is an independent and sovereign country located on the north eastern coast of Central America. Belize is bordered on the northwest by Mexico, on the east by the Caribbean Sea, and on the south and west by Guatemala. It has an area of 22,970 square kilometres (8,867 sq mi) and a population of 387,879 (2017). Its mainland is about 180 mi (290 km) long and 68 mi (110 km) wide. It has the lowest population and population density in Central America. The country's population growth rate of 1.87% per year (2015) is the second highest in the region and one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere.

Paranda is a music originated in Honduras and dance tradition which utilizes rhythmic ostinatos in duple meter. Similar to punta, the paranda is a slower rhythm than punta and reflects Spanish influences. Traditionally, the guitar is played in paranda and not in punta. and its melodies are soulful lamentations.

Contents

Early life

Nabor was born as Alfonso Palacio on 26 January 1928. Although official sources list his place of birth as Stann Creek Town (now Dangriga), Nabor told Amandala in 2009 that he had been born in Punta Gorda, where he was a lifelong resident. Nabor began singing professionally at 18. [3]

Dangriga Town in Stann Creek, Belize

Dangriga, formerly known as Stann Creek Town, is a town in southern Belize, located on the Caribbean coast at the mouth of the North Stann Creek River. It is the capital of Belize's Stann Creek District. Dangriga is served by the Dangriga Airport. Commonly known as the "culture capital of Belize" due to its influence on punta music and other forms of Garifuna culture, Dangriga is the largest settlement in southern Belize.

<i>Amandala</i> Belizean tabloid newspaper

Amandala is a Belizean tabloid newspaper; published twice weekly, it is considered the "most widely circulated newspaper in Belize". It was established on 13 August 1969 as the print organ of the now-defunct United Black Association for Development (UBAD), but has been politically independent since the mid-1970s. Its offices are located at 3304 Partridge Street in Belize City.

Career

In Belize, Nabor's best known song was "Naguya Nei," which he wrote in memory of his deceased sister. Fluent in English, Spanish and Garifuna, Nabor was a popular entertainer throughout Central America. [3]

English language West Germanic language

English is a West Germanic language that was first spoken in early medieval England and eventually became a global lingua franca. It is named after the Angles, one of the Germanic tribes that migrated to the area of Great Britain that later took their name, as England. Both names derive from Anglia, a peninsula in the Baltic Sea. The language is closely related to Frisian and Low Saxon, and its vocabulary has been significantly influenced by other Germanic languages, particularly Norse, and to a greater extent by Latin and French.

Spanish language Romance language

Spanish or Castilian is a Romance language that originated in the Castile region of Spain and today has hundreds of millions of native speakers in the Americas and Spain. It is a global language and the world's second-most spoken native language, after Mandarin Chinese.

Garifuna (Karif) is a minority language widely spoken in villages of Garifuna people in the western part of the northern coast of Central America.

Nabor performed on Andy Palacio's final album, Wátina, released in 2007. [4] Nabor's music is also included on the showcase album Paranda on Stonetree Records. [1] He retired from performing full-time in 2009, but played occasionally until 2013. [3]

Andy Palacio Belizean musician

Andy Vivian Palacio was a Belizean Punta musician and government official. He was also a leading activist for the Garifuna people and their culture.

Honours

On a 2004 visit to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, he was declared a distinguished guest of the city. Nabor was visiting Tegucigalpa for the Honduran release of Garifuna Soul, an album by fellow paranda musician, Aurelio Martínez. [5]

Tegucigalpa City in Francisco Morazán, Honduras

Tegucigalpa, colloquially referred to as Téguz, is the capital and largest city of Honduras along with its twin sister, Comayagüela.

Aurelio Martínez Honduran musician and politician who is also a member of the Garifuna community

Aurelio Martínez, professionally known as Aurelio, is a Honduran musician and politician. He is a singer, percussionist, and guitarist known for his Garifuna music and is considered a Cultural Ambassador of the Garifuna people. According to the Guardian, he became the leading Garifuna performer after the death of musician Andy Palacio.

Death

On 22 October 2014, Nabor died at Punta Gorda Hospital, following a stroke the week before. [2] He is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Punta Gorda. [6]

Stroke Medical condition where poor blood flow to the brain causes cell death

A stroke is a medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain results in cell death. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, due to bleeding. Both result in parts of the brain not functioning properly. Signs and symptoms of a stroke may include an inability to move or feel on one side of the body, problems understanding or speaking, dizziness, or loss of vision to one side. Signs and symptoms often appear soon after the stroke has occurred. If symptoms last less than one or two hours it is known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mini-stroke. A hemorrhagic stroke may also be associated with a severe headache. The symptoms of a stroke can be permanent. Long-term complications may include pneumonia or loss of bladder control.

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References

  1. 1 2 "Priest and Poet: Paul Nabor". Belize – The Exile's Song. PBS Frontline. January 2004. Archived from the original on 23 January 2004. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  2. 1 2 Cayetano, Isani (October 23, 2014). "Paranda King Paul Nabor Passes". News 5. Great Belize Television. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 Ramos, Adele. "Legendary Garifuna parandero, Paul Nabor, passes at 86", Amandala , 24 October 2014; accessed 22 May 2015.
  4. ↑ Andy Palacio: Watina (2007) at Bordeaux Salsa.
  5. ↑ "Belizean Parandero Receives Award As Hondurans Get Garifuna Soul". Stonetree Records. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  6. ↑ Ali, Marion (1 November 2014). "Paul Nabor laid to rest at the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Punta Gorda". The Reporter. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
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