Culture of Belize: Difference between revisions
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{{main|Cuisine of Belize}} |
{{main|Cuisine of Belize}} |
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Belizeans of all ethnicities a eat wide variety of foods. Breakfast consists of bread, flour [[tortilla]]s, or fry jacks that often homemade. It is eaten with various cheeses, refried beans, various forms of eggs or cereal, topped off by milk for younger ones and coffee or tea for adults. Eating breakfast is called "drinking tea". Midday meals vary, from lighter foods such as [[rice and bean]]s or [[beans and rice]] with or without [[coconut milk]], [[tamale]]s, panades, (fried maize shells with beans or fish) and meat pies, [[escabeche]] (onion soup), chirmole (soup), stew chicken and garnaches (fried tortillas with beans, cheese, and sauce) to various constituted dinners featuring some type of rice and beans, meat and salad or [[coleslaw]]. In the rural areas meals may be more simplified than in the cities; the Maya use [[recado]], [[maize|corn]] or maize for most of their meals, and the Garifuna are fond of seafood, [[cassava]] (particularly made into hudut) and vegetables. The nation abounds with restaurants and fast food establishments selling fairly cheaply. Local fruits are quite common, but raw vegetables from the markets less so. Mealtime is a communion for families and schools and some businesses close at midday for lunch, reopening later in the afternoon. |
Belizeans of all ethnicities a eat wide variety of foods. Breakfast consists of bread, flour [[tortilla]]s, or fry jacks that often homemade. It is eaten with various cheeses, refried beans, various forms of eggs or cereal, topped off by milk for younger ones and coffee or tea for adults. Eating breakfast is called "drinking tea". Midday meals vary, from lighter foods such as [[rice and bean]]s or [[beans and rice]] with or without [[coconut milk]], [[tamale]]s, panades, (fried maize shells with beans or fish) and meat pies, [[escabeche]] (onion soup), chirmole (soup), stew chicken and garnaches (fried tortillas with beans, cheese, and sauce) to various constituted dinners featuring some type of rice and beans, meat and salad or [[coleslaw]]. In the rural areas meals may be more simplified than in the cities; the Maya use [[recado]], [[maize|corn]] or maize for most of their meals, and the Garifuna are fond of seafood, [[cassava]] (particularly made into hudut) and vegetables. The nation abounds with restaurants and fast food establishments selling fairly cheaply. Local fruits are quite common, but raw vegetables from the markets less so. Mealtime is a communion for families and schools and some businesses close at midday for lunch, reopening later in the afternoon. |
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==Socializing== |
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Since the late introduction of television in 1980, visiting with friends is not as common as it used to be. When such a visit does occur Belizeans generally take care to make even unexpected guests feel at home. However, arranged visits are more commonly practiced, arriving without previous notice to a friend’s home may be seen as impolite or dangerous. Other acceptable greetings are handshakes, combinations of palms and fists touching, thumbs locking and slaps on the back, or even a kiss on the cheek for someone to show great appreciation and trust. Formal situations call for use of titles and surnames, and children are expected to address their elders with Miss/Mister and and answer “Yes, ma’am” or “No, sir” when asked questions, but not often do. |
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Belizeans are informal and friendly in greeting one another; it is considered rude not to greet even a slight acquaintance, the clerk or receptionist when entering a place of business. It is, however, considered impolite to greet by first names, (gal, and byoi are commonly acceptable) unless one has already established a relationship of some depth (you borrowed money). A simple nod of the head or shouting is acceptable when passing someone on the street, and acquaintances might also be greeted with any number of introductory phrases as covered here: |
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•Maanin! (“Good morning!”) |
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•Weh di go aan? ("What is going on?") |
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•¡Buenos días! (“Good morning!”) |
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•¡Buenas Tardes! ("Good Afternoon!") |
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== Recreation and sports == |
== Recreation and sports == |
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Revision as of 05:11, 11 October 2008
The culture of Belize is made up of a mixture of influences and people from Kriol, Maya, Garinagu (also known as Garifuna), Mestizo (a mixture of Spanish and Indian), Mennonites who are of German descent, with a blend of many other cultures from Chinese to Lebanese. It is a unique blend that emerged through the country's long and occasionally violent history.[1] Courtesy is important to most Belizeans. It is not uncommon for Belizeans to greet each other on the street even if they have never seen each other before. However, these greetings usually come in the form of racist comments, perverted hisses, and pleas for money (colloquially referred to as hustling). Another aspect of the culture is the idea of the mystical healing and Obeah. However, there is still talk of evil shaman practices like putting "Obeah" on certain houses.
Marriage and Family
Most Belizeans do not marry, but celebrate the more sexual aspect of relationships. Because of this, there has been a drastic increase in the distribution of STDs in the country. However, most Belizean marriages are commonly celebrated with church weddings and colorful receptions featuring food, drink and dance. An increasing number of Belizean families are headed by single parents, especially mothers. Due to this trend, many of the present-day youths fail to pursue marriage and get involved in common law relationships with their partners. It is not common to encounter youths living with their parents around the age of 20 or above.
As a consequence of this trend, the most common family structure in Belize is the single-parent family. However, there is a nominal number of grandparents raising the children, with or without the help of one of the parents. Most Belizean families either own or rent some type of house, typically wooden or concrete, and built to withstand minor fires and floods. However, they're in deep shit when the hurricane seasons come around.
Food and Eating
Belizeans of all ethnicities a eat wide variety of foods. Breakfast consists of bread, flour tortillas, or fry jacks that often homemade. It is eaten with various cheeses, refried beans, various forms of eggs or cereal, topped off by milk for younger ones and coffee or tea for adults. Eating breakfast is called "drinking tea". Midday meals vary, from lighter foods such as rice and beans or beans and rice with or without coconut milk, tamales, panades, (fried maize shells with beans or fish) and meat pies, escabeche (onion soup), chirmole (soup), stew chicken and garnaches (fried tortillas with beans, cheese, and sauce) to various constituted dinners featuring some type of rice and beans, meat and salad or coleslaw. In the rural areas meals may be more simplified than in the cities; the Maya use recado, corn or maize for most of their meals, and the Garifuna are fond of seafood, cassava (particularly made into hudut) and vegetables. The nation abounds with restaurants and fast food establishments selling fairly cheaply. Local fruits are quite common, but raw vegetables from the markets less so. Mealtime is a communion for families and schools and some businesses close at midday for lunch, reopening later in the afternoon.
Socializing
Since the late introduction of television in 1980, visiting with friends is not as common as it used to be. When such a visit does occur Belizeans generally take care to make even unexpected guests feel at home. However, arranged visits are more commonly practiced, arriving without previous notice to a friend’s home may be seen as impolite or dangerous. Other acceptable greetings are handshakes, combinations of palms and fists touching, thumbs locking and slaps on the back, or even a kiss on the cheek for someone to show great appreciation and trust. Formal situations call for use of titles and surnames, and children are expected to address their elders with Miss/Mister and and answer “Yes, ma’am” or “No, sir” when asked questions, but not often do.
Belizeans are informal and friendly in greeting one another; it is considered rude not to greet even a slight acquaintance, the clerk or receptionist when entering a place of business. It is, however, considered impolite to greet by first names, (gal, and byoi are commonly acceptable) unless one has already established a relationship of some depth (you borrowed money). A simple nod of the head or shouting is acceptable when passing someone on the street, and acquaintances might also be greeted with any number of introductory phrases as covered here:
•Maanin! (“Good morning!”) •Weh di go aan? ("What is going on?") •¡Buenos días! (“Good morning!”) •¡Buenas Tardes! ("Good Afternoon!")
Recreation and sports
The most popular sports are soccer and basketball, and there is enthusiastic support for league teams formed since the early 1990s. Other sports enjoyed in Belize include volleyball, track and field, jai-alai, boxing, cycling, and softball, which all have established associations. Catching on in recent years are triathlon, canoeing, chess, darts, billiards, martial arts and even ice hockey (in the Western Cayo District among the Mennonite population). An international cross-country cycling race is held every Easter weekend. Belize has the world’s second largest barrier reef and hundreds of small islands, called cayes, that are popular recreation areas for urban people, particularly during school vacations and Easter.
Music and the arts
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Punta is by the far most popular genre of Garifuna music and has become the most popular genre in all of Belize. It is distinctly Afro-Caribbean, and is sometimes said to be ready for international popularization like similarly-descended styles (reggae, calypso, merengue, etc). Established stars include Andy Palacio, Herman "Chico" Ramos, "Mohobub" Flores, Adrian "The Doc" Martinez, and Lindsford "Supa G" Martinez. A slower, more melodic variant, known as Paranda, has been catching on recently behind the talents of Honduras' Aurelio Martinez and Paul Nabor of Punta Gorda; Nabor's signature track "Naguya Nei" is considered the informal popular anthem of the Garifuna nation.
Brukdown is a very popular modern style of Belizean music related to Calypso. It evolved out of the music and dance of loggers, especially a form called buru. Its greatest proponents include Wilfred Peters and Gerald "Lord" Rhaburn of Belize City and Leela Vernon of Punta Gorda.
Reggae, Dancehall, and Soca imported from Jamaica and the rest of the West Indies, and Rap, Hip-Hop, heavy metal and rock music from the United States, are also popular among the youth of Belize. Belize's recording industry turns out a few CDs each year; the majority of musical exposure occurs at monthly concerts featuring Belizean and international artists sharing the same card, or else DJ's mixing music at local nightclubs.
Drama and Acting have also become a part of the Belizean culture. Many plays have taken place at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts and the George Price Center for Peace and development. Several plays that have had a dramatic impact are "Tigga Dead" written by the Governor General. Also "Stop! Stop the Bus" directed by Beverly Swasey.
References and notes
- ^ Peedle, Ian. Belize in Focus: A Guide to the People, Politics, and Culture.
- Peedle, Ian (1999). Belize in Focus: A Guide to the People, Politics, and Culture. Interlink Books.
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Links
http://www.zeeedgell.com - web site for the Belizean author Zee Edgell
http://www.moon.com/catalog2/belize.html - Moon Belize Handbook
http://www.moon.com/planner/belize/index.html - Belize Travel Planner
http://www.peacecorner.org/belize_cuisine.htm
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/belize/3284020880.html
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bh.html - The CIA Fact Book