The Agricultural Haven Of Guinea Grass, Belize

Guinea Grass is a village in the Orange Walk District of Belize. The village is predominantly a Mestizo community, with Spanish and English being the predominant languages of the community. The village is named after the Guinea Grass (Megathyrsus maximus) plant, which was imported to the area to feed livestock. The grass is a large tufted, fast-growing perennial grass that is now widely naturalized in the tropics. It is used for pasture, silage, and hay, and is well-suited for cut-and-carry systems. It is also a major weed in sugarcane fields due to its ability to grow under shaded conditions.

The village of Guinea Grass

The village has a strong influence from Spanish and Mestizo culture due to its predominantly Mestizo-dominated society. Families are mostly patriarchal, and it is a tradition for the father to provide a piece of land for his children before they become independent adults. The Spanish language in Guinea Grass has been influenced by the village's long history and the presence of Mayan and English Creole languages. The village's lifestyle, dressing sense, standard of living, and music preferences are also influenced by American, Jamaican, and Mexican cultures.

The most notable Mestizo tradition can be found in their cuisine, with dishes such as salbutes, tamales, escabeche, chirmole, and caldo (chicken soup). The village also showcases a blend of Caribbean and Creole culture in their typical cuisines, including the national dish Rice & Beans, Boil up, Serre, and Cow foot soup. The traditional Yucatec Mayan dishes, such as Pibil, caldo, Perix P'aak, and Pozole, further add to the diverse culinary offerings in Guinea Grass.

In terms of infrastructure, the village has witnessed significant development over time. In the 1880s, houses were constructed from pimento stems with thatched roofs made of cohune palms. However, in the 20th century, Mr Gregorio Ayuso became the first resident to build a house with a zinc or sheet metal roof. The golden era of the sugar industry in the 1940s brought about the construction of colonial-style wooden houses, similar to those in Belize City. After Hurricane Hattie in the 1960s, concrete houses with flat roofs and concrete bungalow houses became more prevalent.

In terms of education, the village has two primary schools: the Guinea Grass Pentecostal Primary School and the Guinea Grass Roman Catholic Primary School. Over the past 13 years, the Guinea Grass Pentecostal School has consistently ranked among the top schools in the district. The village also offers a range of public services and recreation centres, including a community health clinic, a community police station, parks, supermarkets, restaurants, and small boutiques.

The origin of the village's name

There are two stories that explain how the village of Guinea Grass got its name.

The first story goes that after the emancipation of slavery in the British Caribbean, indentured labourers from India, known as "East Indians", settled in the area and started to cultivate bananas for a British estate. The locals referred to bananas as "Guineo", and over time, this morphed into "Guineal", and the settlement became known as "Guinea Grass".

The second story is that there was an Englishman and agent for the Belize Estate Company, known as "Chichiri" Price, who was a relative of the Rt. Hon. George Price. Chichiri Price lived on a farm on the northern outskirts of the village and raised livestock. To feed his livestock, he imported grass from England and Mexico, which was called Guinea Grass (Megathyrsus maximus). Over time, the grass spread beyond his farm and into the community, and the locals began to call the community Guinea Grass.

Population and demographics

Guinea Grass is a village in the Orange Walk District of Belize, situated 38 metres (127 feet) above sea level. The population of Guinea Grass has grown over the years, with 2,510 people recorded in the 2000 census and 3,500 in 2010. The village is predominantly a Mestizo community, with over 80% of the population being Mestizo and Hispanic Belizeans. Spanish is the predominant language, followed by English and English Creole. The population is diverse, including Creoles, East Indians, Mennonites, Taiwanese, and other Central American immigrants.

The village's population comprises various ethnic and cultural groups, resulting in a blend of traditions and languages. The Mestizo population, known for their patriarchal families and tradition of giving land to their children, forms the largest ethnic group. The influence of Spanish culture and tradition is prominent due to the significant Mestizo population. English Creole is commonly used for trading with locals and other Belizeans, while Spanish and a mix of Spanish and English, known as 'Spanglish,' are predominantly spoken at home.

The religious landscape of Guinea Grass is diverse, with 89% of the population identifying as Christian. The strong presence of Christianity can be attributed to the influence of Spanish and Mestizo culture, with Catholicism being a significant denomination. Additionally, the village is home to various evangelical churches, including the Full Gospel Church of God and the Pentecostal Church of God "Rock of Ages."

Education is a vital aspect of the village, with 70% of the population having completed primary school. In recent years, there has been a notable increase in secondary and tertiary education levels, with 45% and 30% of the population, respectively, attaining these qualifications. The village hosts two primary schools: the Guinea Grass Pentecostal Primary School and the Guinea Grass Roman Catholic Primary School.

The population of Guinea Grass is also characterised by its occupational diversity. While subsistence farming and industries like the chicle industry were once the primary sources of income, many residents now work in the sugar industry or have office jobs, work for the government, or own businesses. Women's participation in the workforce has increased, with about 45% of households being dual-income households.

History of the village

The village of Guinea Grass in Belize has a rich and complex history that dates back to the time of Mayan settlements. The area was once inhabited by the Maya, who built numerous wells, particularly along the San Juan Corridor and the riverbank of the New River. Even today, some of these wells are still used by farmers to water their crops. Additionally, villagers have discovered a tunnel constructed by the Mayans, which runs from near the Catholic Church to a hilltop leading to Ship Yard Village.

Following the arrival of Europeans in the Americas, the indigenous population of the area declined, and many settlements, including Posito, were abandoned. A new chapter in the history of Guinea Grass began with the emancipation of slavery in the British Caribbean. Indentured labourers from India, known as "East Indians," settled in the area and started cultivating bananas for a British estate. The locals referred to bananas as "Guineo," which eventually evolved into "Guineal," and the settlement became known as "Guinea Grass."

Another version of the village's origin story involves an Englishman named Chichiri Price, who was an agent for the Belize Estate Company and a relative of the Rt. Hon. George Price. Chichiri Price lived on a farm on the outskirts of the village and imported grass from England and Mexico to feed his livestock. This grass, known as Guinea Grass (Megathyrsus maximus), spread beyond his farm into the community, and the settlement adopted the name "Guinea Grass."

In the 1800s, following the abolition of slavery in the British West Indies, the British recruited indentured servants from China and India to work in agriculture in British Honduras (now Belize). During this period, a British man opened a banana plantation in Guinea Grass, employing Indian labourers. The village also witnessed an influx of Mestizos (a mixture of Spanish and Maya), Yucatec Mayas, and Yucatecos (Spaniards born in Yucatán, Mexico, to Spanish parents or grandparents).

As different ethnic groups settled in Guinea Grass, they adopted English Creole as a common language for communication. The Mestizo population grew rapidly through intermarriages and high fertility rates, eventually becoming the dominant ethnic group in the village. During this time, the community lacked law enforcement or a formal governance system, leading to a period of lawlessness and cultural and economic tensions.

In the mid-1880s, the settlement was officially recognised by the colonial Governor of British Honduras as Guinea Grass. This period also saw the establishment of a primary school and a Catholic church, with Mr Martinez, a Carib/Garifuna from Silk Grass, serving as the teacher. The villagers primarily relied on subsistence farming to survive, as their incomes from working as chicleros and log wood cutters were meagre.

The village's development continued with the construction of a road connecting Guinea Grass to the Philip Goldson Highway in the 1960s. In the early 1980s, the village, along with nearby areas, received electricity thanks to the efforts of the newly elected Area Representative Hon. Onesimo Pech, a resident of Guinea Grass.

Today, Guinea Grass is a predominantly Mestizo community, with a strong influence of Spanish culture and traditions. The village has experienced economic challenges but is now growing and striving once again.

The village's infrastructure

Guinea Grass is a village in the Orange Walk District of Belize, with a population of 3,500 as of the 2010 census. The village's infrastructure has developed over time, with recent years seeing improvements in transportation, utilities, and essential services.

Transportation

In the 1960s, Guinea Grass underwent significant development with the construction of a road connecting it to the Philip Goldson Highway. This improvement in transportation infrastructure has made the village more accessible and facilitated trade and movement of people in and out of the village.

Utilities

In the early 1980s, Guinea Grass, along with nearby villages, received electricity for the first time. This development brought about a new era of modern conveniences and opportunities for the community.

Essential Services

Guinea Grass has two primary schools: the Guinea Grass Pentecostal Primary School and the Guinea Grass Roman Catholic Primary School. The village also has a functioning community health clinic and a community police station located in the Marcus Canul area. Additionally, there are three parks within the village, providing recreational spaces for residents. The village also has a football field, catering to sports enthusiasts.

The village has seen the establishment of various businesses, including supermarkets, corner shops, restaurants, smoothie bars, small food stalls, barber shops, nail salons, boutiques, and second-hand clothing stores.

Telecommunication and Internet

Guinea Grass has access to telecommunication and internet services provided by companies like Digi (formerly Belize Telemedia Limited), Centaur Communications Corp. Ltd., and Smart. These services keep the villagers connected and provide opportunities for information access and remote work.

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