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Moving to Belize::::Belize Culture
Explore Belize Culture
Explore Belize Culture
A rich natural environment is not the only thing rich in this gem of a
country. The Belize culture will fascinate even the most season
traveler of all.
Known formerly as British Honduras, Belize has features unique to its
neighboring countries. One is that it is the only country in Central
America which has English as its official language; and also, it is the
lone nation in the continent which does not have a coastline on the
Pacific. It only has the Caribbean shoreline on its east. All of which
make Belize culture unique.
The population of Belize is a melting pot of wonderful people coming
from all sorts of races and ethnicity. To get to know Belize culture
better, take note that a Belizean can come from a lineage of English,
Garifuna, Lebanese, East Indian, Mestizo, Mennonite, Spanish,
Chinese, Creole, and Maya.
The Garifuna or Garinagus (as they are sometimes called) lead the
towns of Hopkins, Georgetown, Punta Gorda, Dangriga, Seine Bight,
and Barranco. Every November 19, which is marked as a national
holiday, Belizeans celebrate the arrival of the Garifuna to the country.
Creoles are said to be more recognizable by their values rather than
their biological and physical manner. They are descendants of African
slaves and British pioneers; and they currently dominate logging and
civil service positions in the country.
There are three main Maya groups present in Belize culture. There are
the Mopan, Yucatec and the Kekchi Maya. Coming from the Peten
region of Guatemala, the Mopan came to Belize in 1886. Their
communities can be visited in the San Antonio Village in Toledo
district and other villages in the Cayo district.
In 1958, Mennonites arrived, coming all the way from Mexico,
Manitoba, Chihuahua, and Canada. They settled in Progresso, Barton
Creek, Spanish Lookout, Little Belize, Blue Creek, and Shipyard, all of
which are located in the Cayo district. It is easy to distinguish
Mennonites—women wear long dresses with bonnets, while men
dress in demin overalls with their Plain hats. All of which adds to
Belize culture.
Mestizos make up almost half the population of Belize. They are a mix
of Spanish and Mayan lineage. Most of their homes are in the Western
district of Cayo and northern regions of Corozal. It has been said a lot
of times that Mestizos are vital to the progress and growth of the
economy. East Indians make up roughly 2% of the population; while
Chinese arrived shortly before the start of World War II.
As you can see a lot of people from all over the world are moving to
Belize and bringing their culture with them.
Some basic national symbols in Belize culture is the black orchid
which is their national flower, their national animal which is Baird’s
tapir, the mahogany tree which is their national tree and the keel billed
toucan which is their national bird. Of course, if one is curious about
their national anthem, it is entitled ‘Land of the Free’ which is written
by Samuel Haynes and put into music by Walford Young.
When in Belize, do what Belizeans do. It is not uncommon for them to
greet one another, even when full acquaintance is not yet established.
It is good to have some handy common Spanish phrases to greet
people. Sociability and acknowledgement comes in the form of
handshakes, pats on the back, or even a kiss on the cheek.
Remember though, that unless you are greeting someone you have
established a deeper relationship, it is best to call your Belizean
friends by their last names.
Belize culture is a reflection of its melting pot of old and new world
people that now live in this beautiful tropical paradise.
:Belize Culture
country. The Belize culture will fascinate even the most season
traveler of all.
Known formerly as British Honduras, Belize has features unique to its
neighboring countries. One is that it is the only country in Central
America which has English as its official language; and also, it is the
lone nation in the continent which does not have a coastline on the
Pacific. It only has the Caribbean shoreline on its east. All of which
make Belize culture unique.
The population of Belize is a melting pot of wonderful people coming
from all sorts of races and ethnicity. To get to know Belize culture
better, take note that a Belizean can come from a lineage of English,
Garifuna, Lebanese, East Indian, Mestizo, Mennonite, Spanish,
Chinese, Creole, and Maya.
The Garifuna or Garinagus (as they are sometimes called) lead the
towns of Hopkins, Georgetown, Punta Gorda, Dangriga, Seine Bight,
and Barranco. Every November 19, which is marked as a national
holiday, Belizeans celebrate the arrival of the Garifuna to the country.
Creoles are said to be more recognizable by their values rather than
their biological and physical manner. They are descendants of African
slaves and British pioneers; and they currently dominate logging and
civil service positions in the country.
There are three main Maya groups present in Belize culture. There are
the Mopan, Yucatec and the Kekchi Maya. Coming from the Peten
region of Guatemala, the Mopan came to Belize in 1886. Their
communities can be visited in the San Antonio Village in Toledo
district and other villages in the Cayo district.
In 1958, Mennonites arrived, coming all the way from Mexico,
Manitoba, Chihuahua, and Canada. They settled in Progresso, Barton
Creek, Spanish Lookout, Little Belize, Blue Creek, and Shipyard, all of
which are located in the Cayo district. It is easy to distinguish
Mennonites—women wear long dresses with bonnets, while men
dress in demin overalls with their Plain hats. All of which adds to
Belize culture.
Mestizos make up almost half the population of Belize. They are a mix
of Spanish and Mayan lineage. Most of their homes are in the Western
district of Cayo and northern regions of Corozal. It has been said a lot
of times that Mestizos are vital to the progress and growth of the
economy. East Indians make up roughly 2% of the population; while
Chinese arrived shortly before the start of World War II.
As you can see a lot of people from all over the world are moving to
Belize and bringing their culture with them.
Some basic national symbols in Belize culture is the black orchid
which is their national flower, their national animal which is Baird’s
tapir, the mahogany tree which is their national tree and the keel billed
toucan which is their national bird. Of course, if one is curious about
their national anthem, it is entitled ‘Land of the Free’ which is written
by Samuel Haynes and put into music by Walford Young.
When in Belize, do what Belizeans do. It is not uncommon for them to
greet one another, even when full acquaintance is not yet established.
It is good to have some handy common Spanish phrases to greet
people. Sociability and acknowledgement comes in the form of
handshakes, pats on the back, or even a kiss on the cheek.
Remember though, that unless you are greeting someone you have
established a deeper relationship, it is best to call your Belizean
friends by their last names.
Belize culture is a reflection of its melting pot of old and new world
people that now live in this beautiful tropical paradise.
:Belize Culture
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