Belize Culture

About Belize Culture

Belize is a multi-ethnic country and is occupied by a number of ethnic groups such as Mayans, Mennonites, Kriols, Garifuna and Mestizos. The other groups are Spanish, English, Lebanese, East Indian and Chinese. The official language of Belize is English, while Spanish is also commonly used. However the Mayans, Garifuna and Mennonites converse in their own native languages.

Belize Ethnic Group

Mayans of Belize

Mayans are generally found in the central part of the country. Mayans in Belize are divided into two groups, Mopan Maya and Kekchi Maya. Due to widespread conversion to Catholicism, the number of Mopan Mayans at Belize have decreased considerably. Some were affected by diseases like small pox and were driven out of Belize by the British. However, by 1886 the Mopan Mayans of Belize started to migrate back to Belize. They settled in the Pueslo Viejo region and then shifted to the San Antonio in the Toledo District,

which is the largest Mopan settlement in Belize.

The Kekchi Mayas of Belize were traditionally from the Verapaz region of Guatemala. They became a part of the Belize ethnic groups in the 1800s after losing their land and freedom to the German coffee growers. They settled in small groups on the banks of the rivers and streams, and formed small isolated villages in the Toledo district. Because of their isolation, the Kekchi Mayans of Belize were the most independent ethnic group of the country. Since their settlement, they indulged in co-operative farming and followed their indigenous cultural practices. Though there are 30 different Kekchi communities in Belize, with time the Kekchi Mayans and the Mopan Mayans of Belize have blended together. The indigenous language to both the groups is Cholan, which is the language of the Classic Maya heartland.

Mennonites in Belize

Mennonites form an intricate part of the Belize culture. Although the Mennonites in Belize form a very negligible part of the population, the culture of the community has an integrity of its own. The Mennonites began migrating to Belize from Manitoba Canada in the twentieth century. Some of the other places they emigrated from were Chihuahua and Mexico. The traditional dress of the Mennonites community has the

vibrancy of its culture imbibed in it. While the women wear long colorful apparels, the men are usually seen in denim overalls and hats. The occupation of the Mennonite com-munity in Belize includes fishing and handi-craft, which also includes furniture making. They have their own set of educational insti-tutions and religious beliefs, which charac-terize the community and distinguish it from all other communities in Belize. Belize has an extremely vibrant multi-ethnic society and has members with varied cultural lineages like German, Chinese and Lebanese. Some of the other communities that are predominant in the country are Creole, Spanish, Garifuna, English, Lebanese, Mestizo, Chinese, Maya and East Indian. Mennonites in Belize with its rich cultural heritage has made a significant mark in the culture and the demography of the country.

The Kriols of Belize

Kriols are also known as Creoles, are descendants of Africans who came from Jamaica and Nicaragua's Mosquito Coast. The social values of the Kriols at Belize are derived from the Anglo-Saxon countries, and are therefore different from that of the non-Indians and non-Mestizos. With time it has become difficult to distinguish Kriols with the other Belize ethnic groups. This is because of the adaptation of the Creole culture by the other ethnic groups.

In Portuguese the word creole means 'criar', that is to raise a child born to a family. The word Kriol basically refers to the language of the Creoles. The word was created by the Creoles themselves to distinguish themselves from other ethnic groups. which means languages of the Creoles. In addition to the Kriol language, the Kriols in Belize also speak English. Kriol language has evolved from English, but is no longer a part of English. The cuisine of Kriols of Belize has similarity with the cuisines of other ethnic groups present in the country. The Kriols love chimole, panadas and escabeche, which are originally Mes-tizo recipes. The staple food preparations of the Kriols consists of coconut milk, which they add in rice and beans, fish stew and Creole bread. The Kriols of Belize still today enjoy working in the logging camps. With close relations developing with the Europeans over the years, it is now difficult to distinguish the Kriols from the Europeans.

The Belizean Mestizos

The Mestizos constitute 44% to 48% of the total population of Belize. They are the descendants of the ancient Mayan and the Spanish settlers in the

country. These communities arrived in Belize during the Yatacan Caste wars in the middle of the nineteenth century. The population of the Belizean Mestizos are concentrated in the districts of Corozal, Orange Walk, the northern islands of Caye Caulker, San Pedro Ambergis Caye and Cayo. The Belizean Mestizos have Spanish as their native language, while English and Creole languages are used outside the community. Some of the most important Belizean Mestizo dishes, which have also become a favorite in the whole of the country, include escabeche, tamales, panades and garnaches. An integral part of the country, the Belizean Mestizos have also lent a helping hand in the economic development of the country. The diversity in the culture and the religious belief of the ethnic communities in Belize have led to the diversity and the uniqueness of the Belize culture and history.

The Garifuna of Belize

Is a community, which forms an intricate part of the Belize culture and history. They are also known as Caribs, Black Caribs or Garinagu. Although they are not natives of Central America, their genetic descent trace back to an American lineage. This particular ethnic group has a mixed African and Carib Indian descent. It has its origin in the St. Vincent island, situated in the Lesser Antilles. The community Garifuna of Belize has its population restricted in six important villages of southern Belize. These are Dangriga, which was previously known as

Stann Creek, Hopkins, Georgetown, Punta Gorda, Seine Bight and Barranco. Having a population of 11,000, the Garifuna community accounts for 8% of the total population of the country. Apart from Belize, the Garifuna community can also be found in Guatemala and Honduras.

Garifuna Culture

With the admixture of different African and Carib Indian culture, the Garifuna of Belize has a cultural uniqueness of its own. The occupation of Garifuna includes cultivation, hunting, and fishing, which are predominant among the American natives. Dance and the music, on the other hand, have an African tinge. The Garifuna religious rites and ceremonies too have an African ambiance. The language of the Garifuna has a French and Arawak influence. The Garifuna of Belize have added significantly to the cultural diversity of the country.

Belize culture is a unique blend of the cultures of the various ethnic groups of the country. Belize culture reflects the harmony between the various ethnic groups.