Culture of Belize

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Altun Ha archaeological site in Belize, a remnant of Mayan culture
Altun Ha archaeological site in Belize, a remnant of Mayan culture

The culture of Belize is made up of a mixture of influences and people from Kriol, Maya, Garinagu (also known as Garifuna), Mestizo (a mixture of Spanish and Indian), Mennonites who are of German descent, with a blend of many other cultures from Chinese to Lebanese. It is a unique blend that emerged through the country's long and occasionally violent history.[1] Courtesy is important to most Belizeans. It is not uncommon for Belizeans to greet each other on the street even if they have never seen each other before, or for acquaintances to spend minutes at a time chatting, oblivious to what is happening around them. Another aspect of the culture is the idea of the mystical healing and Obeah. However, there is still talk of evil shaman practices like putting "Obeah" on certain houses.

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[edit] Marriage and Family

Belizean marriages are commonly celebrated with church weddings and colorful receptions featuring food, drink and dance. This, however, is not the case in all families. An increasing number of Belizean families are headed by single parents, especially mothers. Due to this trend, many of the present-day youths fail to pursue marriage and get involved in common law relationships with their partners. It is not common to encounter youths living with their parents around the age of 20 or above.

As a consequence of this trend, the most common family structure in Belize is the single-parent family. However, there is a nominal number of grandparents raising the children, with or without the help of one of the parents. Most Belizean families either own or rent some type of house, typically wooden or concrete, and built to withstand fires and hurricanes.

[edit] Food and Eating

Belizeans eat widely from among the food groups. The typical breakfast consists of bread, often homemade but increasingly bought from Chinese shopkeepers, that is eaten with cheeses, beans, eggs or cereal, topped off by milk for younger ones and coffee or tea for adults. Midday meals vary, from lighter foods such as tamales, panades, (fried maize shells with beans or fish) and meat pies, escabeche (onion soup), chirmole (soup), and garnaches (fried tortillas with beans, cheese, and sauce) to various constituted dinners featuring some type of rice and beans, meat and salad or coleslaw. In the rural areas meals may be more simplified than in the cities; the Maya use corn or maize for most of their meals, and the Garifuna are fond of seafood, cassava (particularly made into hudut) and vegetables. The nation abounds with restaurants and fast food establishments selling fairly cheaply. Fruits are quite common, but raw vegetables from the markets less so. Mealtime is a communion for families and schools and some businesses close at midday for lunch, reopening later in the afternoon. Conversation during meals, unless the topic is important, is considered impolite.

[edit] Socializing

Belizeans are informal and friendly in greeting one another; it is considered rude not to greet even a slight acquaintance or the clerk or receptionist when entering a place of business. It is, however, considered impolite to greet people by their first names, (surnames are more acceptable) unless one has already established a relationship of some depth. A simple nod of the head or a wave is acceptable when passing someone on the street, and acquaintances might also be greeted with any number of introductory phrases as covered here:

  • ¡Buenos días! (“Good morning!”)
  • ¡Buenas Tardes! ("Good Afternoon!")


Other acceptable greetings are handshakes, combinations of palms and fists touching, thumbs locking and pats on the back, or even a kiss on the cheek for someone to show great appreciation and trust. Formal situations call for use of titles and surnames, and children are expected to address their elders with Miss/Mister and answer “Yes, ma’am” or “No, sir” when asked questions.

Since the introduction of television in 1980, visiting with friends is not as common as it used to be. When such a visit does occur Belizeans generally take care to make even unexpected guests feel at home. However, arranged visits are more commonly practiced, arriving without previous notice to a friends home may be seen as impolite.

[edit] Recreation and sports

Main article: Sport in Belize

The most popular sports are soccer and basketball, and there is enthusiastic support for league teams formed since the early 1990s. Other sports enjoyed in Belize include volleyball, track and field, jai-alai, boxing, cycling, and softball, which all have established associations. Catching on in recent years are triathlon, canoeing, chess, darts, billiards, martial arts and even ice hockey (in the Western Cayo District among the Mennonite population). An international cross-country cycling race is held every Easter weekend. Belize has the world’s second largest barrier reef and hundreds of small islands, called cayes, that are popular recreation areas for urban people, particularly during school vacations and Easter.

[edit] Music and the arts

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Punta is by the far most popular genre of Garifuna music and has become the most popular genre in all of Belize. It is distinctly Afro-Caribbean, and is sometimes said to be ready for international popularization like similarly-descended styles (reggae, calypso, merengue, etc). Established stars include Andy Palacio, Herman "Chico" Ramos, "Mohobub" Flores, Adrian "The Doc" Martinez, and Lindsford "Supa G" Martinez. A slower, more melodic variant, known as Paranda, has been catching on recently behind the talents of Honduras' Aurelio Martinez and Paul Nabor of Punta Gorda; Nabor's signature track "Naguya Nei" is considered the informal popular anthem of the Garifuna nation.

Brukdown is a very popular modern style of Belizean music. It evolved out of the music and dance of loggers, especially a form called buru. Its greatest proponents include Wilfred Peters and Gerald "Lord" Rhaburn of Belize City and Leela Vernon of Punta Gorda.

Reggae, Dancehall, and Soca imported from Jamaica and the rest of the West Indies, and Rap, Hip-Hop, heavy metal and rock music from the United States, are also popular among the youth of Belize. Belize's recording industry turns out a few CDs each year; the majority of musical exposure occurs at monthly concerts featuring Belizean and international artists sharing the same card, or else DJ's mixing music at local nightclubs.

Drama and Acting have also become a part of the Belizean culture. Many plays have taken place at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts and the George Price Center for Peace and development. Several plays that have had a dramatic impact are "Tigga Dead" written by the Governor General. Also "Stop! Stop the Bus" directed by Beverly Swasey.

[edit] Ethnic and national groupings

[edit] National holidays

National holidays include Baron Bliss Day on 9 March, honoring the Portuguese born philanthropist; Labour Day on 1 May for the nation's workers; Commonwealth Day 24 May, celebrating Belize's membership in the Commonwealth of Nations; The Battle of St. George's Caye Day/National Day on 10 September, honoring the 1798 battle that virtually guaranteed Belize's becoming a British colony after an invading force from Mexico was turned back; Independence Day on 21 September, Pan American Day/Columbus Day on 12 October; Garifuna Settlement Day on 19 November to honor the intrepid group of settlers arriving on that date in 1832; and Christmas on 25 December and "Boxing Day" on 26 December.

[edit] National symbols

Agreed on by decision of the Executive in 1981. They are:

[edit] References and notes

  1. ^ Peedle, Ian. Belize in Focus: A Guide to the People, Politics, and Culture.
  • Peedle, Ian (1999). Belize in Focus: A Guide to the People, Politics, and Culture. Interlink Books. 

[edit] Links

http://www.zeeedgell.com - web site for the Belizean author Zee Edgell
http://www.moon.com/catalog2/belize.html - Moon Belize Handbook
http://www.moon.com/planner/belize/index.html - Belize Travel Planner
http://www.peacecorner.org/belize_cuisine.htm
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/belize/3284020880.html
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bh.html - The CIA Fact Book