Belize – Cultural melting pot

The word “Belize” recalls the images of incredibly crystal clear turquoise waters with fabulous beaches, lush green jungles and impressive Mayan ruins. But this small nation is also proud of its diverse culture. Here you can find a unique mix of influences from various cultures and people from various parts of the world.

Rich cultural diversity

In the distant past, Belize witnessed many turf wars in which the inhumane enslavement of people of various ethnicities took place. But this spoiled past gave birth to a country brimming with cultural diversity and a mixed population with diverse origins and roots from around the world with only a longing for harmony and freedom.

Some of the ethnic and national groupings that complete the landscape of Belize are:

– Belizean Creole, a mix of African and European origin
– Garífuna, a mixture of African and Caribbean origin
– Mestizo, a mixture of Native American and European origin
– Mopan Maya
– White, who comes from British descendants and American retirees.
– Arabs
– Asian of the Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean and Indian inhabitants.
– Continental Africa, especially inhabitants of Nigerian origin

All of these ethnic groups do their best to preserve their own ethnic divergence and distinctive uniqueness.

Music

The soothing and fascinating notes of Garifuna music are a part of every Belizean festive occasion. The sound of Garífuna music is quite similar to Afro-Caribbean. There are other more popular melodic variants, known as Paranda and Brukdown, that the locals love to sing about.

In addition to folk music, modern music styles such as rap, hip-hop, heavy metal, and rock are also popular with young people. To get a taste of local music, a visit to local nightclubs should definitely be planned where both Belizean and international artists can be heard.

Art

Without the mention of drama and acting, a description of Belizean culture remains incomplete. Throughout the year, there are a number of plays at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts and the George Price Center. The true culture of Belize can be seen through the authentic oil and water paintings, color prints, and crafts on display in the Gallery of Fine Arts. These talents of local Belizean artists portray the lives of the Garífuna, Creoles, and ancient Mayans.

Cooked

Belizean cuisine is a smorgasbord of cultures, as it is as varied and rich as the various cultures that together make up Belize. Their way of cooking is quite similar to that of the United Kingdom, the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. Rice and beans play a very dominant role in almost every meal, be it breakfast or dinner. While most foods are complemented with chicken, pork, beef, fish, or vegetables, it is coconut milk and fried plantains that give any dish a tropical flavor. Many of the luxury resorts in Belize offer these famous foods such as tamales, panades, empanadas de carne, escabeche, chirmole, and garnaches on their menus.

Truly, this small Central American country of Belize is the most unique and fascinating place to visit. And from a tourist point of view, this small country has world-class facilities. There are many well-known hotels and all-inclusive resorts in Belize to make your trip unforgettable.

To get the best deal on your vacation, it is best to take the expert advice of a reputable travel planner, so that you can enjoy a stress-free vacation with your family or friends. From reserving their rooms to selecting good all-inclusive resorts in Belize and planning a trip to any of the popular destinations, they will do everything they can to make your Belize vacation unforgettable.

American, Continental, US Air, Delta and Taca Airlines have daily flights from Belize of approximately two hours from various cities in the United States to the islands of Belize.

With its favorable climate, any time of the year is a good time to plan your next Belize vacation.