Come and encounter mixed cultures and customs that bring together Mayan, Garifuna, Creole and European identities.
DANSE
Dance is a fixture in Belizean culture, notably due to its Garifuna heritage.
It is unthinkable to hear Punta, the traditional music of Garifunas, without also dancing. In its ritual aspect, it’s a celebration of the dead.
Dancers turn towards the Atlantic Ocean and write in the sand signs that enable spirits to leave for the otherworld.
PAINTING
Belizean paintings are colorful and inspired by the naïve movement.
Artists generally paint their surroundings.
The constant presence of nature in contemporaneous paintings is notable. They seek to reproduce this preserved and lush nature that characterizes their country. Colors are bright, light is powerful and shapes are round.
Walter Castillo is one of those world-renowned artists.
MUSIC
Belizean music is mixed and made of multiple influences directly inherited from the cultural and ethnic diversity of the country, which constitute its main strength. European colons brought their own customs. African slaves spread their tribal chants. Mayans made their musical style last through marimba.
Among the most popular styles today are Punta Rock and Soca, but also Cumbia, Reggae, Dancehall, Bruckdown and Garifuna music.
Garifuna music It’s a mix of West-African and Native American rhythms, telling the brave story of this community through chants accompanied by various drums, xylophones and wind instruments. Lyrics are mainly in Creole, Spanish and Garifuna.
Mayan music The marimba is the typical Mayan instrument, even though it originated from the West-African xylophone. Another striking instrument used by those communities is the Mayan harp, an impressive wooden box divided in two quite massive parts.
Punta rock. It’s the most popular style among the youth in Belize. Descended from the Garifuna traditional music known as “punta music”, punta rock rejuvenates this style by adding electronic and techno sounds to it. Dancers are moving very fast and you must hang on tight to follow the moves to this very rhythmic dance.
Brukdown. This Creole music was brought there by African slaves working in logging operations during the era of colonization. They would gather, sing and dance together to the sound of the drums in order to escape their terrible condition. This music style, very popular in Belizean villages, uses drums, accordion, banjo and guitar.
Reggae and dancehall. Jamaïcan reggae and dancehall are very present in this Carribean-influenced country. These tunes, which came right from Kingston, inspired some local groups that play music in the style of Bob Marley and his heirs.
FOOD AND DRINKS
The food
Belizean food is a simple, spicy cuisine of mixed origins.
Among the most common dishes are chicken, beef, pork and fish stews.
The oudout, made of manioc and banana bread.
The escabeche (meat or fish marinade).
There are generally served with rice and beans and a potato salad.
Fish will not be forgotten, as grouper, barracuda and lionfish are also on the menu.
As for shellfish, there is conch soup prepared with herbs and potatoes.
Grilled lobster is a seasonal dish of choice (mid-June to mid-February), Creole-style or as a burrito !
And if you want to learn a few local recipes, join us for our cooking class in San Pedro!
Drinks
Rhum :
agricultural lands in northern Belize produce a quality Belizean rhum. Rhum is deeply rooted in Belizean culture and is a part of every celebration !
Belizean wine :
Belizean wines are very sweet because they are made from fermented cashew or from craboo, a small yellow fruit with a very distinctive taste. The main farms are located around the Belize river.
Beer :
Local beer BELIKIN, a real institution in Belize, also managed to win over the tourists thanks to its greatness.
Let us create together
The great journey of life…
Take advantage of the expertise of our French and English speaking team on site. The guarantee of a trip where you live the essential, a trip of a lifetime…
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