History of Song and Dance of Our People

The history of is the history of the Maya, the European, (both Spanish and vate any land without previous payment or en- English), Kekchi, African, East Indian, Chinese, Garifuna, people of the Middle gagement to pay rent whether to the crown or to the owner of the land”. It was in East, Central Americans and many others. We are a 1872 that Marcus Canul attacked the British Barracks at Orange Walk. He de- nation of immigrants: people who came and keep coming. manded rent and land but he could not capture the barracks and was killed. Three Maya languages (Mopan, Kekchi, and Yucatec) are spoken, making it unique among Caribbean countries. The switch from logwood to mahogany (a hardwood found in the interior scat- The language understood by most people is an English/ tered in the Belize rainforest) required more labour than the Baymen could sup- African derived Creole yet many people speak Spanish ply. By 1724 British settlers had acquired African slave labour from West Africa, and Garifuna. Most are of mixed ancestry with via Bermuda and Jamaica. By 1745 slaves made up 71% of the population. The roots in African, Asia, the Americans and the Caribbean. British colonial administration passed laws to assert their ownership of the land and timber extraction continued. Unlike plantation slavery in the Caribbean, According to archaeologists working in Belize, the Maya Belize allowed slaves closer proximity to their masters but did not allow them to or Pre-Maya have been in Belize as far back as 2,500 farm except for occasional “provision grounds”. Slaves carried machetes and B.C. or earlier. These Maya whose advanced civilization reached its peak be- shotguns for jungle survival. tween the 7th and 9th centuries were expert farmers employing advanced meth- ods of agriculture such as terracing, tree cropping and using raised fields with The second half of the eighteenth century witnessed four slave revolts as well as drainage canals. They studied advanced astronomy, devised a precise calendar, a number of unsuccessful attempts by the Spanish to dislodge the Baymen at used math based on the zero concept, built magnificent temples, palaces and the 1798 Battle of St. George’s Caye. When abolition came in 1834 and appren- ball courts which can be seen at Lamanai, Nim li Punit, Altun Ha, Xunantunich ticeship in 1838, timber interests still controlled the fate of the economy of the and Caracol. country through labor arrangements and land ownership. Reaction to this ineq- uity was periodically expressed in riots and disturbances. In 1894 when mahog- From the early 16th century to the early 18th century there was a period of any workers returned to to discover a currency devaluation, workers Spanish colonial influence in Belize with periodic domination of Maya Belizeans. led by John Alexander Tom rioted. In another instance, Black Belizean soldiers An expedition led by Davila to present day Corozal was quelled by Nachankan. who had suffered discrimination during World War I in Europe returned home to Maya chieftain with the help of Gonzalo Guerrero, a Spaniard, who had married protest unequal, racist treatment. Following the Great Depression, a devastating the chief’s daughter and decided to fight with the Maya. Today Guerrero is hurricane in 1931, unemployment, poor housing and severe economic and social known as the father of the Mestizo race. problems came protests. One man, Antonio Soberanis, led workers in Belize City and to stand up for their rights. By December 1949, the devalua- British occupancy of Belize dates to mid-seventeenth century, when Bartholo- tion of the Belize dollar again resulted in the immediate worsening of the situa- mew Sharpe, a buccaneer turned logwood cutter, came in contact with a Span- tion of the working class. A group of dynamic, concerned young men: George ish priest Padre Jose Delgado in the Mullins River are of Belize. Padre Delgado Price, John Smith, Philip Goldson and Leigh Richardson formed the People’s was making his way from Guatemala to Mexico. From Spanish archives and Committee which became the People’s United Party a year later. Its objective records we can prove an early British presence in Belize. At this time piracy had was “to gain for the people of this country political and economic independence”. been outlawed and logwood was fetching a pretty price on the European market in England’s textile industry. In the latter eighteenth century and early nineteenth During the 1950’s and 60’s Belize struggled to gain adult suffrage and self- century, British settlers increasingly moved into the interior in search of mahog- government. Finally during the 1970’s and 80’s, there was the struggle to gain any. In this process the Maya strongly resisted British attempts to take over their both political and economical independence. On September 21, 1981, Belize territory. gained its political independence.

In 1788, the Maya attacked woodcutters at New River. British troops were asked to be “sent up river to punish the Indians who are committing depredations upon the Mahogany works.” Despite strong resistance the Maya were forced back by the British deeper into the rainforest around San Ignacio, Cayo. This, however, did not keep the Maya down. They continued to fight right up to 1867 when Gov- ernor Austin ruled, “No Indians will be at liberty to reside upon or occupy or culti-

INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RESEARCH INFORMATION RESEARCHED AND COMPILED BY:

MUSEUM BUILDING, CULVERT RD. LITA HUNTER KROHN

BELMOPAN CITY, CAYO DISTRICT REPRINTED BY:

BELIZE, C.A. INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL & CULTURAL RESEACH, 2011

TEL: (501) 822-3307 SOURCES:

FAX: (501) 822-3815 A : NATION IN THE MAKING, SUNSHINE BOOKS 1984

IN SEARCH OF HISTORY, FATHER RICHARD BUHLER, SAINT JOHN BRUKDOWN PUBLICATIONS 1979

READINGS IN BELIZEAN HISTORY, SECOND EDITION SAINT JOHN’S COLLEGE, LITA HUNTER KROHN, 1987

BELIZE TODAY, SUNSHINE BOOKS 1984

BELIZEAN STUDIES, SAINT JOHN’S COLLEGE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE CREOLE GARIFUNA MESTIZO MAYA

The Belizean Creole, are descendants A group of immigrants who fled the Various Maya groups have continu- of slaves brought by the first British ravages of war as a result of the ously lived in parts of Belize from an- settlers. This African mainstream was Guerra de las Castas were the Mes- cient times. The Mopan Maya lived mixed with the blood of the slave mas- tizos of Belize. Mestizo refer to the mostly in the Toledo and Western ter, usually English or Scots, since mixture of Spanish and Maya. The Cayo districts where they settled after most of the early Baymen took their first group began to move into northern fleeing rigid conditions including forced women from among the slave popula- Belize around the 1850’s. The north- labor, military conscription and heavy tion. Religious leaders judged and ern refugees who settled in Corozal, taxes in Guatemala. Mopan and Yu- cured their brothers and sisters and Orange Walk, Ambergris Caye and catec Maya have both retained many taught the people customs and tradi- Caye Caulker were at first only Mes- traditions. Both for example, maintain a tions using oral traditions, myths and tizos but later were joined by many strong respect for Maya gods particu- folk tales. African ancestors believed in Maya immigrants. The new arrivals larly at planting and harvest time. many gods, whose job as caretakers of The Garifuna are descendants of the were mostly Catholic and spoke Span- the rainforest and rivers predated Island Caribs and Arawaks of St. Vin- ish. Today with the addition of Central The Kekchi Maya live in villages today’s environmentalists. An obeah- cent in the eastern Caribbean who American refugees the ethnic group around San Antonio in rural Toledo. man was known and respected as a intermarried with escaped African has significantly grown. These were Most Kekchi arrived in Toledo district healer, using herbs to cure and words slaves around 1765. the people who developed agriculture around 1884 as refugees from the of wisdom to advise the tribe. especially sugar cane production on a Vera Paz area of Guatemala. The Fighting for their freedom, first against large scale. Kekchi are largely self-sufficient and Music and dance were closely con- Spain and then against France and carry on traditional subsistence farm- nected with African religious traditions, Britain, the Caribs of St. Vincent strug- Apart from lan- ing based on the cultivation of corn, as well as recreational activity. People gled fiercely to keep themselves from g u a g e a n d beans and rice and pig rearing. The sang, played and danced in worship being enslaved. After several attempts cultural religious Kekchi speak their own dialect and and worked in joy, sorrow or fear. the British conquered them in 1797, traditions such govern themselves through the alcalde Creole folk songs employ a call and then exiled them to the shores of Cen- as the novena, system. Ancient rituals such as twelve response style reminiscent of African tral America. About 2,000 Caribs were posada, fiestas nights of Yolec – a ritual of self- songs. Since timber – mostly mahog- loaded onto ships and forcibly trans- and los finados, purification in atonement for sins: any – continued to dominate the Beliz- ferred to the Bay Islands. They moved the Mestizo Mayehac – a ritual in which various ean economy, it was in the mahogany quickly from there to the mainland, culture was spirits of rain, lightening, thunder and camps where much Creole Belizean establishing many villages along what unique in its land are involved for blessings, and music had its start, as did the Creole is now the north coast of . regard for close the Atuk ritual which helps prepare a culture. family ties with child for its future life are still practiced. The first Garinagu moved into Belize strict rules of Many ancient beliefs are conducted Christmas time was the time when about 1802 and established villages courtship and side by side with Christian marriage mahogany workers came home for a along Belize’s southern coast. The marriage. Mestizo food is actually a procedures low Tz’amanc– the asking, break, celebrating with friends and British “Baymen”, already settled here, mix of Maya and Spanish cuisine with a traditional wedding rite; and Sumlac- families. They renewed contracts and were fearful of this independent and corn playing a major role: tortillas, where elders give advice to the cou- used their advanced wages to cele- free group of blacks and did their best tamales, bollos, tamalitos etc. along ples and relatives are feasted. brate and buy basics for their families, to build up a distrust of them as “devil with other tasty foods such as relleno becoming more indebted to their worshippers”, “baby eaters” and “witch negro, chirmole, or escabeche which Yucatec Maya refugees who immi- bosses. doctors” among their own slaves and have been adopted by all Belizeans. grated from Yucatan at the time of the the Creole population. Caste War live in northern and western Belize Town came alive with beating Many Mestizo and Maya towns and Belize. Yucatec Maya have been his- drums – the bram! According to Beliz- When the Garifuna of Honduras were villages celebrate All Saint’s Day (Nov. panicized being mostly Catholic and ean folklorist, Gladys Stuart “groups of involved on the losing side of a revolu- 1st) and All Souls Day (Nov. 2nd). The Spanish-speaking. The Yucatec Maya friends would gather at a home with tion in 1832, large numbers led by celebration includes preparation of a practiced intensive agriculture with the furniture pushed against the walls, Alejo Beni fled to Belize for safety. special meal: of the dead person’s sugar cane. leaving an open space in which to That event is commemorated as Gari- favorite. No meal, however was com- bram. Hips and bellies gyrated, shoul- funa Settlement Day – a national and plete without the traditional bollos with The Mopan and Kekchi have no writ- th ders swung and arms flung about with bank holiday on November 19 , initi- “Xpelon” (black beans), bollos with ten musical theory but certain musi- abandon, resulting in flowing contor- ated by T.V. Ramos. anise seed and the drink “xpa’sha” cians will be known throughout a re- tions of the body while the legs kept up prepared with corn, milk and spices. gion for their expertise as teachers. a rhythmic bram! Bram! (If you were The English word music is reserved for The flute melodies and rhythmic pat- able to perform all of the above then European instruments like violin, flute, Another aspect of Mestizo culture is terns of the drum are universal and you could brukdown). Music was sup- trap drums or guitar, which may be the fiesta Carnaval practiced in the unchanging for a particular dance no plied by a combination of two or three used for Christmas quadrille dancing, Orange Walk district. Carnaval season matter where they are performed. A of the following: drums accordions, and to accompany mime dances. The would be ushered in by a dances harp guitar, and violin combo and the banjos, guitars, pint bottles, tapped Garifuna music however, deters from called “los mascarados”. This dance marimba each have its own style ac- against each other, combs covered this conventional European style. It involves a group of men in different cording to its village. Other maya in- with soft paper, and brooms stuck on has no distinct term attached, as can disguises who would march through struments include flutes and a chirimia the floor. Enthusiasm replaced har- be seen in the OREMU songs which the streets dragging chains. Some or double-reed flute. Bonampak in mony and the tempo increased as the dominates Garifuna music. A pair of would be dressed like old men and Chiapas, Mexico shows a marimba liquor (rum, rum popo, spruce, cashew, single – head wooden drums with women while others masquerade as being carried in a religious procession. black – berry, snares, a Primero, and a large Se- witches, ghosts, demons, and other Today the people of San Antonio still orange, craboo gundo accompanies most of its sing- disguised themselves as priests in carry the marimba in religious ceremo- or ginger wines) ing. The name of the song styles is the black cassocks with one man imper- nies. Maya dances generally take flowed.” same as the name of the dance beats sonating the devil. Other groups of 6ft place during the fiesta. The alcalde they accompany. Dance beats vary women would sometimes dress in picks the dancers and this is consid- Several Boom widely and include some which are Sunday satin all shiny, while men ered a great honor. Dances include: a n d C h i m e rapid and polyrhythmic (wanaragua, sometimes stuck in simple white trou- Cortez Dance, an epic drama which groups are still and punta) and others with moderate sers with a white long, sleeve shirts, portrays the coming of Christianity to going strong. Instruments in a Boom tempos in both double meter and other red neckerchiefs and sombreros. the Mayas; the Xol Moro tells of the and Chime band include a gumbay with moderate tempos in both double war between the Moors and the Chris- (two- sided) bass drum, jawbone of an meter (gunjai, chamba, paranda) and During other carnaval days comparsas tians. Other Maya dances include the ass, guitar and accordion. The Boom triple meter (hugu – hugu). (chorus/skits) would be performed at Deer Dance, as story about a hunter, and Chime name is derived from the individual homes where refreshments and the Monkey Dance where mon- two sounds made by the hitting of the Another important class of songs is would be served and sometimes a fee keys were depicted as being powerful drum on different sides: “boom” (bass) known as Wuyanu. These are not would be collected for entertainment. in assisting or retarding the growth of and “chime” (tenor). “Boom and dance beats and are not accompanied Dances performed included: la Estudi- corn and the fall of rain. Today many Chime” songs are composed about by instruments. These soulful melodies antina; Juan Carnaval was an effigy ancient dances include pictures or recent happenings, gossip, petty are semi-sacred gesture songs, some (made by stuffing a pair of trousers statues of saints. thefts, elopements, mule’s birthdays or for men and others for women. Few and a shirt with dry banana leaves, his “shall I babies”. Garinagu are able to perform these head an empty calabash with facial songs today. Although any type of features painted on wearing a som- Dynamic parts of Creole Culture are dance may appear at ceremonies the brero). Juan Carnaval would be burnt Creole proverbs, which became ways music of the Dugu, the major tradi- around 6:00 p.m. on the eve of Ash of conveying folk wisdom and ridiculing tional religious rite, has a distinct role Wednesday, La Rumba, la Samba, los the elites or their followers. Another as a sacred dance. These songs are Negritos, el Torito, Basilio Capa Mo- aspect of the Creole culture is the typically dreamed or otherwise given to jada, los Chicleros, las Pelonas and Anansi story, featuring spider hero the owner by ancestral spirits. Three las Tres Hermanitas were also danced Anansi of the Ashanti tribe in Africa. drums playing a simple triple meter to during Carnaval. Not to be excluded, Anansi is a spider/man who always which participants dance hugulendi, a groups of boys and girls played on the appears to get the upper hand in most shuffle step of great antiquity; it is used streets trying to catch anyone to paint situations. to accompany Dugu songs. their victim with an assortment of Tal- cum powder, egg and shoe polish.