Belize - Cultural Melting Pot

The word "Belize" brings to mind the images of unbelievably clear turquoise waters with fabulous beaches, lush green jungles, along with the breathtaking Mayan ruins. But this small nation is also proud of its diverse culture. Here one can find a unique mixture of influences of various cultures and people from various parts of the world.

Rich Diversity of Culture

In the distant past, Belize witnessed many territorial wars where inhuman enslavement of people of various ethnicities took place. But this marred past gave birth to a country brimming with cultural diversity and a mixed population with diverse origins and roots from across the globe with only a longing for harmony and freedom.

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

- Belize Creole, a mixture of African and European origin
- Garifuna, a mixture of African and Carib origin
- Mestizo, a mixture of Native American and European origin
- Mopan Maya
- White, which comes from British descendants and American retirees
- Arabs
- Asian from the Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean and Indian inhabitants.
- Mainland African, especially inhabitants from Nigerian origin

All these ethnic groups try their level best to preserve their own ethnic divergence and their distinct uniqueness.

Music

Soothing and mesmerizing notes of Garifuna music is part of every festive occasion of Belize. The sound of Garifuna music is quite similar to Afro-Caribbean. There are other more popular melodic variants, known as Paranda and Brukdown which the locals love to hymn a lot.

Apart from folk music, modern style of music like Rap, Hip-hop, Heavy Metal and Rock are also popular amongst the youths. To get a taste of the local music, one must definitely plan a visit to the local nightclubs where one can hear both Belizean and international artists.

Art

Without the mention of drama and acting, a description of the Belizean culture remains incomplete. All throughout the year, there are a number of plays hosted 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 art crafts displayed at the Fine Arts Gallery. These talents of the local Belizean artists portray the life of Garifuna, the Creole, and ancient Maya.

Cuisine

The cuisine of Belize is a cultural smorgasbord as it is as varied and rich as the several cultures that together make up Belize. Their way of cooking is quite similar to that of the UK, the USA, Mexico and the Caribbean. Rice and beans play a very dominant role in almost all the meals, be it breakfast or dinner. While most of the foods are complemented with chicken, pork, beef, fish or vegetables, it is the coconut milk and fried plantains that add a tropical flavor to any dish. Many of the luxury resorts in Belize offer these famous foods such as tamales, panades, meat pies, escabeche, chirmole, and garnaches in their menus.

Really, this little Central American country of Belize is the most unique and fascinating place to visit. And from the tourism point of view, this small country has got world class facilities. There are many well-known hotels and all inclusive resorts in Belize to make your journey, a memorable one.

To get the best deal out of your vacation, it is better to take the expert advice of a reputed travel planner, so that you can experience enjoy a tension free vacation with your family or friends. From booking your rooms to selecting good all inclusive resorts in Belize to planning a trip to any of the popular destinations, they will do everything to make your holiday in Belize, a memorable one.

American, Continental, US Air, Delta, and Taca Airlines have daily Belize departure flights of about two hours from several U.S. cities to Belize islands.

With its favorable weather, any time of year is a great time to plan your next Belize vacation.

Edward Wilson is a travel journalist. His interesting articles on Belize Islands and Belize departure flights have been published in various magazines and websites.

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