Belize's Cultural Mosaic: Holidays And Traditions Revealed

Belize is a vibrant mix of Mayan, Catholic, and Caribbean cultures, and this diversity is reflected in its holidays and traditions. The country's small size belies the richness of its history and cultural traditions, with a busy calendar of celebrations throughout the year. From colourful Carnival parades to solemn religious processions, Belize knows how to put on a show. With a strong emphasis on community, family, and coming together, Belizeans sure know how to celebrate.

Easter celebrations

Easter is one of the biggest and longest public holidays in Belize, with festivities lasting for four days. The country is predominantly Christian, with over 80% of the population reporting Christianity as their religion, and Roman Catholicism being the largest denomination.

Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday marks the start of Easter celebrations in Belize. On this day, people often travel to their destinations for the long weekend. Government offices, public utilities, and banks shut down at midday, making this one of the slowest periods for commerce in the country.

Good Friday

Good Friday is a quiet and solemn day in Belize. It is a day of relaxation and reflection, with most people staying home or attending church services to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Re-enactments of the Passion of Christ are also held in some places. People listen to religious programs on the radio and television, including live coverage of the Pope's Good Friday Message. Traditionally, no meat other than fish is consumed on this day, and swimming is avoided. Many families opt for a technology detox, avoiding the use of TVs (unless watching 'The Passion of the Christ'), cell phones, and other electronic devices.

Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday marks the start of the festivities. It is marked by the annual Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycle Race, a gruelling 142-mile race from Belize City to San Ignacio-Santa Elena and back. The race, which began in 1928, attracts both national and international cyclists and causes the country to come to a standstill.

Easter Sunday

On Easter Sunday, Christians attend mass to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. Families gather for meals and picnics, and many head to the local beaches, rivers, or the Caribbean Sea for a swim. In the afternoons, municipalities hold football games and fairs.

Easter Monday

Easter Monday is the final day of the official Easter celebrations. Fairs are held across the country, including a horse race at Burrell Boom in the Belize District. Most towns host fairs and dances to close off the long weekend.

St George's Caye Day

St. George's Caye Day is a significant date in the Belizean calendar, marked by colourful celebrations and festivities. It is a public and bank holiday, observed annually on the 10th of September, and commemorates a decisive military victory against the Spanish in 1798.

The history of St. George's Caye Day stretches back to the 16th century when the Spanish sought to control the Yucatan coast, which includes modern-day Belize. However, they faced resistance from hostile Indian tribes and a lack of natural resources, hindering their colonisation efforts. In contrast, British sailors, known as "Baymen," established themselves in the region. These Baymen, a mix of shipwrecked sailors and pirates, settled in the Belize City area in the 1650s, engaging in the lucrative trade of cutting and exporting logwood to Europe.

The mid-18th century witnessed escalating tensions between the Spanish and British in the region. Despite treaties, the Spanish persistently attempted to expel the Baymen from Belize. In 1798, the Spanish launched their final assault with 32 ships and over 2,000 troops, engaging the Baymen at St. George's Caye. Despite being outnumbered, the Baymen, aided by black slaves, emerged victorious in a battle that lasted from September 3rd to 10th. The Spanish, ravaged by sickness, ultimately withdrew, marking their final attempt to seize control of Belize.

The victory at St. George's Caye holds immense significance for Belize. It secured the region's freedom from Spanish colonisation and shaped its future as a British colony. The battle is recognised as a pivotal moment when people of different races and creeds united to defend their homeland. To honour this legacy, St. George's Caye Day was declared a public holiday in 1898, 100 years after the battle, and it continues to be a revered tradition in Belizean culture.

The celebrations of St. George's Caye Day are filled with vibrant festivities. They include an official ceremony on the eve of September 10th, featuring fireworks and cultural presentations. The following day, a colourful carnival parade takes place, with floats depicting the national symbols of Belize. Families and friends gather along the parade route, proudly waving flags and partaking in the joyous atmosphere. The day is also an opportunity for Belizeans living abroad to return home and join in this historic celebration.

Belize Independence Day

The day is celebrated with parades, music, and colourful costumes in the country's national colours of red, white, and blue. There are also fireworks displays, and traditional Belizean food is enjoyed. The official Independence Day ceremonies are held at Memorial Park in Belize City, followed by the Belize City Uniform Parade through the principal streets. The Street Bram on Albert and Regent Streets showcases local food. The biggest parade takes place in Belize City, with marchers dancing along to soca music.

The Carnival is a feast for the eyes and ears, with the beats of Garifuna drums, the music of Brukdown, and the vibrant dances of Belize culture. The official ceremonies are a reminder of Belize's journey to independence, with citizens gathering to pledge themselves to a future that aligns with the ideals of their forebears.

The 2023 theme, "Hope Ignited, Hands United, Vision Renewed: Belize@42!", encapsulated the spirit of the nation, emphasising hope for a brighter future, unity in diversity, and a renewed vision for the country.

Belize City Carnival

The Carnival has its roots in the Afro-Caribbean culture of the Creoles, the largest cultural group in Belize City. The influence of the Trinidad and Tobago tradition of J'ouvert is evident, with participants painting themselves with coloured mud and dancing to Calypso, Soca, and Reggae music. The J'ouvert celebrations finish around 9 am when the sun gets too hot, and some participants then rest before the main Carnival event, which starts at 1 pm. The more daring may take part in the infamous 'Bridge Jump', where revellers jump off a bridge into Haulover Creek. However, this is discouraged by the authorities due to the creek's pollution and the presence of crocodiles.

The Carnival parade begins with costumed groups, led by truck-mounted speakers playing calypso and soca music. The marchers dance through the streets for five hours, with ambulances on hand to help anyone overcome by the heat. The parade concludes at one of the public parks in the north side of Belize City, with an after-party featuring local entertainers.

The Carnival is organised into groups, each with a name and sponsored by local political bosses and private companies. Trucks with music boxes play popular dance tunes, with marchers performing choreographed dances behind. Human floats are also a feature, with elaborately decorated frames, towed by energetic dancers. The costumes are often revealing, with the Belize women in particular wearing very little, which has caused some controversy in the past. Due to complaints by churches, the Carnival is now divided into two segments: one for children and students, dressed modestly, and one for adults, with more revealing attire.

Garifuna Settlement Day

In the late 18th century, the Garifuna people were deported from the Grenadines by the British, after the British Empire expanded its control over the Caribbean islands, including Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The Garifuna were separated from those who looked more native and expelled from the island of Baliceaux. Only half survived the journey and ended up in Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize.

The Garifuna Settlement Day celebrations include parades, live music, drumming, dancing, prayers, and traditional Garifuna food. The first landing of the Garifuna is reenacted with boats coming ashore, carrying cassava sticks, plantain suckers, and sugarcane—representing the food the Garifuna people brought with them. Traditional Garifuna dishes such as serre (fish boiled in coconut milk), hudut (mashed plantain), and cassava bread are also a significant part of the festivities. The day is celebrated across Belize, especially in the town of Dangriga, where the first Garifuna people landed, and other villages with large Garifuna populations, such as Punta Gorda and Hopkins.

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