My sisters and I are the only Black and Guatemalan people I have ever known. Whereas the Garifuna are Afro-Indigenous people in Central America and the Caribbean with their own rich, distinct heritage, language, and history, this is not our history. With roots in Jutiapa, Guatemala and Texas, we have crafted a unique identity for ourselves and by ourselves. It has not been easy. The journey has been tumultuous not unlike the dark waters at the base of this piece. Our stories will always be connected like the banana leaf braids that drape down our backs. Guatemalan tamales are tightly wrapped by banana leaves and boiled for hours while the insides comprised of salsa, vegetables, pork, and sometimes olives imbue the surrounding masa with rich flavor.