The People of Belize

Image courtesy of R. Bruce McNellie

“Belize enjoys a fabulous, improbable ethnic diversity”[1] and is often referred to as the melting pot of Central America. Belize celebrates its multicultural mixture, and racial tension is almost nonexistent, with people of all backgrounds identifying themselves as “Belizean.”  Some of the major ethnic groups represented in Belize include: 48.7% Mestizo (persons of mixed Spanish and Central American Indian ancestry); 24.9% Creole (African-European); 10.6% Maya (the Yucatec in the north, Mopan in the west, and Ketchi in the far south); and 6.1% Garifuna (persons of mixed South American Indian and African descent).[2]  The remaining ethnic groups include small populations of Mennonite German farmers, Europeans, North Americans, East Indians, and Asians.

The majority of the population is very young with more than 50 percent of the population under 19 years old (39.5 percent of the population is 0-14 years, 57 percent is 15-64 years, and 3.5 percent is 65 years and older).[3] Approximately one third of the population lives below the poverty line.

LANGUAGES

The official language of Belize is English. However, the majority of Belizeans speak Spanish, Creole, or Mayan Dialects, and many speak two, and even all three languages. According to the 2000 Census, people identified with the following native languages:

• Spanish 46%
• Creole 32.9%
• Mayan dialects 8.9%
• English 3.9%
• Garifuna 3.4% (Carib)
• German 3.3%
• Other 1.4%
• Unknown 0.2%

RELIGION

Image courtesy of Simion Cernica http://www.flickr.com/photos/simioncernica

Belize is a spiritually tolerant country and its religions are as varied as its ethnic  composition.  Most Belizeans are Roman Catholics (49.6%) and Protestants (27%)—mainly Pentecostal, followed by Anglican, Seventh-day Adventist, Mennonites, Methodists, and Jehovah’s Witnesses. The remainder of Belizeans identify themselves as Taoists, Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims.

MUSIC

Belize is famous for its musical styles, represented strongly by both Afro-Caribbean and Latin styles.  Reggae, marimba, calypso, soca, and steel drums are popular sounds heard drifting through the streets. More recently, there has also been a surge in the presence of jazz and hip-hop.  The British left a bit of their distinctive mark on Belize as well, bringing brass, woodwinds, and the piano to the mix, and their influence can be heard in Maya and Mestizo music.

Image courtesy of Lebeha Drumming School, belize http://lebeha.com/

Mestizo music seemed to be more popular in northern Belize and Guatemala, than in the south.  Many of these bands use the marimba, an African-descended xylophone-esq instrument that adds a distinctive sound to the trap drums and double bass that characterize this style.  Maya (played exclusively by men) and Mestizo string-bands combine indigenous harps, whistles, marimbas, and frame-drum percussion with European guitar and violin.

Punta rock and Brukdown are two popular Belizean styles that have also gained popularity throughout Central America.  Brukdown is a very popular Belizean style that originated from Creoles working on logging camps from the 18th century, and includes the banjo, an accordion, harmonica and percussions—usually a pig’s jawbone rattled back and forth with a stick[4]. Garifuna musicians are concentrated in southern and coastal Belize, characterized by heavy drums, and call and response. 

SPORTS

The two most popular sports in Belize are football (soccer) and basketball, and both enjoy enthusiastic support for semi-pro, league, and neighborhood teams.  The Belize National Football team  (a.k.a. The Jaguars) is governed by the Football Federation of Belize, and is associated with the Confederation of North, Central American, and Caribbean Association Football.  The district league is called the Belize Premier Football League.

Basketball is immensely popular in Belize. Its semi-pro league is governed by the Belize Basketball Federation.  Basketball games draw crowds at the senior and junior amateurs, secondary and primary school levels, and pickup games alike.  There are soccer fields and basketball courts in almost every single town in Belize, and you can easily find a pickup game—or start one yourself—at any field or court, almost any time of day.

Cycling, canoeing, softball, cross country, and tennis are also quite popular in Belize.    Cyclists are frequently seen riding and training on Belize’s highways and there are several popular races held throughout the year. The La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge is an annual four-day, 180-mile canoe race on the Belize River.  Softball is most popular in northern Belize, but has been steadily catching on in the south. The governing body for male and female softball players is the Softball Federation and teams compete in local tournaments to reach the national championship.  Both male and female Belizean softball teams have regularly placed in Central American and Caribbean regional competitions.

CELEBRATIONS

Images courtesy of globalvoicesonline.org, ambergriscaye.com, and belizeanjourneys.com (from left to right)

There are many festivals and celebrations throughout the year in Belize, including the following highlights:

• January through June: There is a cycle race every month during this stretch, and another in December.
• March:  La Ruta Maya River Challenge is a four-day canoe race that traces the route of the ancient Maya.  It begins in San Ignacio and ends in Belize City.
• May: Cashew Festival in Crooked Tree Village featuring live music, cashew wine and yummy Caribbean foods. Toledo Cacao-Fest in Punta Gorda is the third weekend in May, and features chocolate and wine tasting, cacao products, tours of cacao farms, and entertainment.
• August: Costa Maya Festival at Ambergris Caye is an international event with music, arts, crafts, dances, and typical foods of Belize and some neighboring countries.
• September: Carnival!! Dancing, costumes, live music, and more dancing!! Independence Day on September 21^st, featuring celebrations throughout the country, focusing on local food, dancing, and live music.
• November:  Garifuna Settlement Day celebrates the arrival of the Garinagu people in Stann Creek in the 1800’s.  Features parades, drumming, and cultural and religious activities.

Image courtesy of David Lee