The Black Caribs (Garifuna) of Livingston, Guatemala: Genetic Markers and Admixture Estimates

Abstract

The Black Caribs (Garifuna) are descendants of West African and Amerindian groups from St. Vincent Island who were transplanted to the coast of Central America in 1797. The founding population, estimated at 2,500 to 5,000 persons, gave rise to 65,000 Black Caribs who presently reside in 54 fishing villages spread geographically from Stann Creek (Dangriga), Belize, to LaFe, Nicaragua. This paper documents the genetic variation observed for 24 blood group, red blood cell and serum protein systems in one of the Black Carib communities of Livingston, Guatemala. Admixture estimates, based upon Gm, suggest the following parental population contribution for Livingston: 70% African, 29% Indian and 1% European.