Belize's Natural Heritage: Exploring The Country's Native Treasures

Belize is a melting pot of cultures, languages, and ethnic groups. The country is home to people of Amerindian, African, European, Asian, and Middle-Eastern descent, as well as those of mixed race. The Maya civilisation, which spread to Belize around 1500 BC, is one of the earliest-known influences on the country. Today, Belize is made up of a diverse range of ethnic groups, including Mestizo, Creole, Maya, Garifuna, Mennonites, East Indian, Caucasian/White, and Asian people.

The Maya

The earliest record of the Maya in Belize dates back to around 2000 BCE, which is when the Maya Preclassic Period (2000 BCE to 200 CE) begins. During this time, the ancient Maya inhabited the area now known as Cuello in northern Belize. The Maya Early Preclassic period, from which we have some of the earliest examples of Maya pottery and art, lasted from 1800-900 BCE, and throughout the Middle Preclassic Maya (900-300 BCE) the civilisation continued to grow.

During the Classic Period, the Maya built impressive cities and created a sophisticated society with a highly developed system of writing, art, mathematics, and astronomy. The Maya developed their own crops, fish ponds, and irrigation systems, and also traded jade, obsidian, cacao, salt, and sea shells for gold and other goods from as far away as Panama and the Gulf Coast of Mexico.

Today, the Maya of Belize account for about 11% of the population and live in spaciously laid-out villages, some near the ceremonial sites of ancient Maya settlements. There are presently three groups of Maya living in Belize: the Yucatec, Kekchi, and Mopan Maya. The Maya in Belize speak Yucateco, Mopanero, and Kekchi, and many also speak English and Spanish.

The Garinagu (singular: Garifuna)

The Garinagu are not to be confused with the Caribs, Black Caribs, or Island Caribs—exonyms historically used by European explorers to refer to the Garinagu. The Garinagu were never documented as slaves, despite being captives removed from their homelands. The two prevailing theories regarding their arrival on Saint Vincent are that they were either the survivors of two recorded shipwrecks or that they took over the ship they came on.

The Garinagu were exiled from Saint Vincent to the Bay Islands of Honduras by the British in 1796 or 1797. From there, they spread along the Caribbean coast of Central America, reaching Belize by way of Honduras as early as 1802. In Belize, November 19, 1832, is officially recognised as "Garifuna Settlement Day" in Dangriga.

The Garinagu speak an Arawakan language called Garifuna, which has a large number of loanwords from Carib languages and European languages. The language was declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2008, along with Garifuna music and dance.

The Garifuna language is spoken primarily in Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, with a large population of speakers also found in New York City, Los Angeles, and New Orleans. In 2011, it was estimated that the global Garinagu population was around 400,000, with the second-largest population outside Central America located in the United States.

The Garinagu are a maritime people, and through their work on ships, many have been able to migrate to the United States. It is thought that over a third of all Garinagu people currently reside in New York.

The Mestizos

Mestizo culture blends Catholic and indigenous traditions. Their music is heavily influenced by Spanish traditions, with guitar music and songs like the Serenata being integral to any Mestizo gathering. Their cuisine includes dishes such as tortillas, tacos, and tamales, and they are also known for their textile work and handicrafts.

In terms of demographics, the Mestizos are the second-largest cultural group in Belize, after the Creoles. Since the 1980s, thousands of refugee Mestizos from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras have established communities near the capital city of Belmopan, while those in the Stann Creek district in the south have found employment in the citrus and banana industries. Descendants of earlier settlers also inhabit the larger northerly islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye.

While Mestizos initially brought their Catholic faith and Spanish language to Belize, over time, they have integrated into wider Belizean society, with many adopting other Christian faiths and becoming bilingual in English and Spanish.

The Mennonites

Mennonites began moving to Belize in the late 1950s, but their history can be traced back to the 1780s when their ancestors moved from the Netherlands and Poland to present-day Ukraine. They settled in West Prussia, then under the control of the Russian Empire, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and so most of Belize's Mennonites today are referred to as "Russian Mennonites". In 1873, a group of these "Russian" Mennonites moved to Canada, and in 1922, a group of them emigrated to Mexico. In the late 1950s, a group of Mexican Mennonites relocated to British Honduras, now Belize, seeking a place where they could practice their faith freely and live according to their religious beliefs, including pacifism and sustainability.

Belize's Mennonites are known for their high-quality fresh produce, poultry, beef, dairy, and apiary products, as well as handcrafted furniture. They have a significant impact on the country's economy, particularly in the agricultural sector, and are the largest providers of milk, cheese, and other dairy products in Belize. They live in exclusive communities, such as Shipyard, Upper and Lower Barton Creek, Spanish Lookout, Springfield, Indian Creek, Little Belize, Pine Hill, and Blue Creek.

The community is divided between the Kleine Gemeinde, a modernist group that utilizes modern technology and vehicles, and the Altkolonier, traditionalists who adhere to a stricter interpretation of their beliefs and often shun electricity and gasoline-powered equipment. The traditional members, easily identified by their denim overalls, straw hats, and long dresses with bonnets, can be seen engaging in trade in the Cayo and Orange Walk districts and Belize City.

Belize's Mennonites have a unique culture and way of life that sets them apart from other groups in the country. They are known for their strong commitment to pacifism and their desire to live apart from the government and with limited technology. While some young people now have phones and cameras, the community largely shuns modern technology and maintains a simpler way of life.

The East Indians

Belize is home to a vibrant community of East Indians, also known as Indo-Belizeans, who make up around 3.9% to 4% of the country's population. They are part of the wider Indo-Caribbean community and the global Indian diaspora. The history of East Indians in Belize began after the Indian Rebellion of 1857, with the first ship of Indians arriving in 1858 as part of the Indian indenture system established by the British government following the abolition of slavery. This initial wave consisted of around 1000 people, including deported ex-soldiers who had rebelled against the British during India's First War of Independence.

Over time, the East Indians in Belize intermarried with other ethnic groups, particularly the Creoles and Mestizos. While they have largely integrated into Belizean society, adopting many local traditions and beliefs, they have also retained aspects of their unique identity, such as Indian clothing, food, and social and religious customs. The impact of East Indian culture can be seen in Belize's cuisine, with the development of tacari spice, a combination of curry and ginger, and the incorporation of dishes like roti, dhal bhat, pholourie, and curries.

In recent times, there has been a minor influx of entrepreneurs and professionals from India, who are mostly Sindhis and Punjabis, with smaller numbers of Gujaratis, Kutchis, Bengalis, Tamils, and Telugus. While the earlier waves of East Indian immigrants have largely abandoned their religious traditions, with Hinduism and Islam being replaced by local forms of Christianity, there is a growing interest among the community to rediscover and reclaim their Indian heritage and culture.

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