About
Lebeha boys with their teacher, Jabbar Lambey, in 2005
We are based at the Northern end (Lebeha means "the end" in the Garifuna tongue) of Hopkins Village on the beautiful shores of the Caribbean Ocean in Belize, Central America. We offer local children the chance to learn drumming, dance and cultural heritage of our Garifuna ancestors. The Lebeha Drumming Center was started in 2002 by drummer Jabbar Lambey and Canadian Dorothy Pettersen. It is not a therapeutic drum circle, it is not the more commercial Punta Rock style (exemplified by stars such as Pen Cayetano and Andy Palacio) and none of the kids is forced to practice. If nobody shows up to listen or to dance, the boys play for themselves with just as much vigor as they would at a major festival. They carry with them the singular tradition that is Garifuna culture: a cocktail-shaker-full of African and South American Indian ingredients.
In 2022 Lebeha Drumming Center expanded to include the Lebeha Restaurant and Lounge.
Stop by for a lesson, lunch, and a libation.
We regret Lebeha no longer offers overnight accommodation.