Belize Beauty: Unlocking The Secrets Of Healthy Hair

Belize is a melting pot of cultures, languages, and hair care practices. The country's diverse population includes Mestizo, Maya, Creole, Garifuna, Mennonite, East Indian, Middle Eastern, and Asian people, each contributing to the rich cultural tapestry of Belize. While the official language is English, a variety of dialects and languages are spoken across the country, including Spanish, Kriol, Yucatec, Mopán, Kekchí, and Garifuna.

Belizeans take pride in their unique cultural heritage, and this extends to their hair care routines. With the humid climate and salty seawater, finding effective hair care products can be challenging. In recent years, a unique solution has emerged from an unlikely source – seaweed. Belizean seaweed is of exceptionally high quality, and local entrepreneur Jolie Pollard has pioneered its use in hair care products, creating a range of moisturizing creams and gels that cater to the needs of curly-haired individuals. By harnessing the power of seaweed, Pollard's products offer a natural and effective solution for taming curly hair in the humid Belizean climate.

Seaweed gel

Belizeans attribute numerous health benefits to seaweed, believing it enhances sexual performance, stamina, and reproductive health. The nutrient-rich composition of seaweed supports these beliefs. It has high protein levels, comprising nearly 10% of its dry weight, akin to the protein content found in soybeans. Additionally, it offers a remarkable 25% dietary fiber, 18% of which is soluble.

Belizean seaweed is also considered to be of very high quality. This is because it grows far off the coastline, so it is not affected by runoff from the mainland. It is very clean and nutritious, making it ideal for consumption and use in various products.

Traditionally, Belizeans will soak dried seaweed in water until it develops a gel-like consistency, then boil it down into a jelly that can be easily mixed into smoothies or other dishes. This jelly has also been used as a natural hair care product, as it helps to protect, repair, and hydrate hair, calms frizz, boosts shine, and locks in moisture.

One Belizean entrepreneur, Jolie Pollard, has created a business called Ikooma, which sells a natural seaweed cream gel for hair. The name Ikooma is derived from the kriolized name for the Eucheuma isiforme seaweed that she uses in her products. Pollard sources her seaweed from local farmers and is proud to support and promote the local economy.

Braids and buns

Belize is known for its humid climate, which can make hair care challenging. In addition, the salty seawater can also affect hair. As a result, protective hairstyles like braids and buns are popular in Belize.

One popular hairstyle in Belize is the braided bun, which can be achieved in several ways. One option is the fishtail braided chignon, which involves creating a side fishtail braid and coiling it into a low or side bun. Another option is the twisted pretzel bun, which starts with a low ponytail that is then split into two sections and wrapped around each other to form a rope braid. This braid is then wrapped into a bun. For those with bob-length hair, an upside-down braided bun can be a stylish choice.

In addition to braided buns, braids can also be incorporated into other hairstyles. Space buns, for example, can be created by parting the hair down the center and braiding each section before wrapping it into a bun. Box braids can also be styled in various ways, such as a half-up top knot or a bow bun.

While braids and buns are popular in Belize, the country is also known for its culinary delights, including the "pow-da bun", a fluffy and slightly sweet bread snack enjoyed by the locals, especially the Creole families.

Mestizo hair

The term "Mestizo" refers to the mixed-race history behind Mexican heritage, resulting from the indigenous people of Mexico facing the invasion of conquistadors, specifically a high number of Spaniards. This led to a mix of Spanish and indigenous blood, and now, many people with Mexican or Latino heritage have this mixture of cultures in their ancestry.

In Belize, the Creole ethnic group, also known as Kriols, are primarily mixed-race descendants of enslaved West and Central Africans, as well as Europeans. Over the years, they have also intermarried with Mestizos, among other ethnic groups. As a result of this mixed-race ancestry, the physical features of Creole individuals vary widely, ranging from dark skin and kinky hair to fair skin and blonde hair.

While the term "Mestizo hair" specifically refers to the hair type commonly found among individuals of Mexican or Latino heritage, the hair of Belizean Creoles, or Kriols, may exhibit a range of characteristics due to their diverse genetic backgrounds.

Garifuna hair

The Garifuna are a people of mixed African and Amerindian ancestry, originating from the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent. They speak Garifuna, an Arawakan language, and Vincentian Creole. The Garifuna flag features three stripes: black, acknowledging African descent; white, representing peace between the races; and yellow, representing the Amerindians, the native people of the Caribbean, as well as the dumari, juices made from the cassava plant.

The Garifuna people were exiled from Saint Vincent by the British in the 18th century and settled in Honduras, before moving to other Central American countries, including Belize. Today, there are around 600,000 Garifuna people worldwide, with a large population in the United States, particularly in New York City and Los Angeles.

The Garifuna have a rich cultural heritage that blends African, Arawak Indian, and Spanish influences. This is reflected in their unique traditions, such as their foodways and music. Essential tools for Garifuna food preparation include the egi, a handmade grater used to shred coconut meat or grind root vegetables like cassava and plantain; the beísawa, a handheld broom used to brush off excess flour during the cassava-making process; and the híbise, a woven sifter for the cassava.

Music and dance are also integral parts of Garifuna culture. The wanáragua dance, for example, is a warrior dance traditionally performed by men wearing a floral costume and a wababan, a headdress featuring the face of a white man. The yawei, seashells that adorn the dancer's knees, create a distinctive sound that synchronizes with the drumming, forming an integral part of the performance.

In terms of hair care, two Garifuna women, Sulma Arzu-Brown and Isidra Sabio, have authored children's books about Black hair, titled 'Bad Hair Does Not Exist!/Pelo Malo No Existe!' and 'Garifuna Para Niños', respectively. These books highlight the importance of celebrating and embracing Black hair within the Garifuna community and beyond.

Mayan hair

Ancient Mayan Hair Care and Styling

In ancient times, Mayan women typically had thick, straight to wavy hair with high density. They valued lustrous and healthy hair, going to great lengths to achieve their ideal hair standards. They used local tree nuts, known for their medicinal and beauty properties, to create rich and fine hair product mixtures. Two classic recipes that have been passed down through generations include a deep conditioner for improved softness and a buttery moisturiser for added sheen and manageability. These recipes utilise simple, natural ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil, raw cacao butter, agave syrup, and sweet almond oil.

Mayan men and women also styled their hair in specific ways to showcase their social status. Elite Mayan men and women, for example, altered their head shapes through careful head flattening during childhood, resulting in pointed heads. Women gathered their long hair into flowing ponytails, sometimes braiding and decorating them with ornaments and ribbons for special occasions. Mayan men, on the other hand, grew their hair long but burned the hair off their foreheads to accentuate their elongated profiles. They styled their hair into one or multiple ponytails or tied it in a bundle on top of their heads. Additionally, wealthy Mayan men often adorned themselves with elaborate feathered headdresses, crafted to resemble the heads of jaguars, snakes, or birds. These headdresses were adorned with animal skin, teeth, and carved jade, showcasing their high social status.

Modern Mayan Hair Care and Styling

In modern times, individuals of Mayan descent continue to take pride in their hair care and styling. While some may incorporate traditional practices passed down through generations, they also have access to contemporary hair care products and trends. For example, in Belize, a country with a significant Mayan population, individuals face the challenge of caring for wavy or curly hair in a humid environment. As a result, they may experiment with natural ingredients like seaweed to create effective hair care solutions. Seaweed farming, a growing industry in Belize, offers a sustainable source of income for locals and provides a unique ingredient for natural hair care products.

Frequently asked questions