A Conversation with a BELIZEAN about BELIZE

A CONVERSATION ABOUT BELIZE

First, a word about Rhondine Petrof. She is Belizean born and lives in her native country. She is a passionate Educator who founded and directs the Toucan Education Program [Toucan], a study abroad organization that designs and facilitates short-term education abroad programs for visiting students who wish to study abroad in Belize. More about this interesting dimension of Ms. Petrof later.

.Now, on to the Interview with Ms. Petrof…..We Thank her for honoring CARIBBEAN VILLAGE [CV] with her time, knowledge and perspective regarding her native country.

The Conversation

CV:        What is the population of your country?

Ms. Petrof:

“The population of Belize is approximately 400,000 people. The population is quite diverse and includes inhabitants from the African Diaspora; Central America; Indigenous Maya; Mestizo; Middle Eastern, Chinese & Taiwanese and Mennonite [German].” The country’s location GPS coordinates are 17.1899° N, 88.4976° W.

CV:        In which part of your country do most people reside?, or is the population dispersed throughout the country?

Ms. Petrof:

“Our population is dispersed throughout the country across 195 villages, two cities and a several towns. Communities known as villages are more rural than urban. There are 6 districts. Belize City has the largest, predominantly Creole  population at about 95,000. Due to historical reasons, many Creole communities are located along what is known as the Belize River Valley.”

CV:        What languages are spoken in your country?

Ms. Petrof:

“English is the official language of Belize. However, based on the diverse culture of the people resulting from various migrations several languages are spoken such as Spanish by the Mestizo people, German by the Mennonites, as well as several other languages spoken by the African diaspora people.

Those languages are Kriol, three distinct Maya languages, Garifuna spoken by the Garinagu people who migrated after being exiled by the British from their home island of Saint Vincent.

The history of the Garinagu people is known to most Belizeans as one where a slave ship was wrecked, and the indigenous enslaved Africans escaped. These freed Africans co-mingled with native Arawak people to form a new identity and culture now known as the Garinagu people with their distinct language that is Amer Indian based.

Garifuna and Maya people are recognized as indigenous.

Other languages you will hear include, Belize Kriol, a mixture of West African and old English languages, Chinese, Hindi, Turkish, Middle Eastern languages, German [Mennonites].

Many people are bi-lingual with some members of the country’s population speaking 3-4 languages. The Kriol language is widely spoken and its culture is considered the glue that holds our country’s communication fabric together.”

CV:        What language[s] are usually heard on the streets?

Ms. Petrof:

“That depends on where you are in the country because the multi-lingual population is dispersed throughout the country. Where there is a dominant culture, the language of the culture may be heard more often than groups that are less represented.”

CV:        What is the most celebrated festival or holiday in Belize?

Ms. Petrof:

“Belize is a young country who gained its independence from the British just 40 years ago on September 21, 1981, and our Independence is celebrated annually across cultures and ethnicities.

A unique holiday is the yearly reenactment (Yurumei) of the Garifuna/Garinagu arrival in Belize each November 19th. This national holiday is a vibrant time to be in Belize and join in the festivities.

Other unique festivals are the Belize City Carnival, Christmas Bram, Cashew Festival, the Cocoa Festival, Maya Day, and many other festivals related to various cultures in Belize.”

CV:        What is the political system in Belize?

Ms. Petrof:

“Belize is a young nation with an old history. We have a parliamentary political system with a Prime Minister and 2 political parties.”

CV:        What can you say about the leaders in your Country?

Ms. Petrof:

“As a young nation, we grapple with the issue of corruption as it relates to political parties purchasing votes. We must gain an understanding of just how powerful the vote is. We must also strengthen our institutions.”

CV:        What are the principal economic activities of Belize?

Ms. Petrof:

“Agriculture, and most recently, Tourism which now accounts for 40% of our GDP [Gross Domestic Product].

Belize has over 50 varieties of hardwood trees such as Mahogany and Rosewood. There are some issues with Guatemalan encroachment and illegal logging of our natural resource of mahogany. Belize imports more than it exports, which creates a significant trade imbalance.”

CV:        What does your country export and import?

Ms. Petrof:

“We import more than we export. Imports include fuel, canned goods, majority of canned and processed foods and when there is a shortage of vegetables, we import from neighboring countries such as Mexico and Guatemala. We export beans, rice, seafood and citrus.”

CV:        What is the most popular sport in Belize?

Ms. Petrof:

“SOCCER is our most popular sport, followed by Basketball for men, cycling for both men and women, Softball for women and Cricket, in that order. Also, Belizeans are now getting into Golf.”

CV:        Are there any sports or games that are unique to Belize?

Ms. Petrof: 

“Pok ta Pok is a Maya Ball game that is being played today that is unique to Belize and other Munda Maya destinations. Pok Ta Pok is an ancient Maya ball game played by two opposing teams using only their HIPS to pass and shoot a heavy solid rubber ball down a playing court. Click the above link to learn more about this interesting and exciting game.”   

CV:        Is the weather very different in different parts of the country?

Ms. Petrof:

“Belize’s inland temperatures can range from 95-105 degrees. To the West and South, in the hills and mountains the weather is cooler. On the coast, due to the winds, the weather can also be cooler.”

CV:        What are the most popular tourist destinations?

Ms. Petrof:

“The most popular tourist destinations are:

1. San Pedro which is trendy and “touristy”
2. Cayo for nature and the mountains
3. Placencia in southern Belize. Placencia sits on the largest peninsula.”

CV:        Are there many opportunities to explore the countryside?

Ms. Petrof:

“Yes! It is easy to EXPLORE BELIZE via rental car and busses. COME VISIT US. WE WELCOME YOU!!”

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 ~A Historical Perspective on Belize ~

Continuation of our Conversation with Rhondine Petrof

”Belize’s history is long and storied, but the country’s recent development is what most people know about. I will briefly discuss Belize’s past and modern history from a personal perspective.

Belize is a small country nestled between Guatemala and Mexico, which has been on the radar of the international news for several decades. It was once called British Honduras, but in 1973 it was officially renamed Belize as the country had a growing interest to gain its independence from Great Britain.

The country achieved its independence on September 21, 1981. Although the country is one of the smallest countries in the world, its uniqueness draws from its diverse diaspora population of approximately 400,000 spread across its equally diverse ecological landscapes and natural resources.

According to the early history timeline of Belize, the country was discovered by Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba. When the Spaniards first arrived in Belize, they found a land inhabited by different tribes known today as the Maya people. 

The Maya people were an advanced, cultured people who developed agriculture, a writing system and made paper out of plants. They built roads, aqueducts, and pyramids taller than any others in Mesoamerica. 

This advanced civilization lasted until 1697 when they were invaded by an army of British settlers. The Mayans were forced to leave and crossed into Guatemala where many suffered torture and death at the hands of Spanish conquistadors.

In reference to the African diaspora in Belize, the earliest enslaved Africans arrived in 1774 as recorded by Spanish Missionaries. Some timelines note an earlier arrival in 1571. 

The descendants of those enslaved Africans are known in Belize as Creoles. These people share commonalities with enslaved Africans who were brought to the United States to work on Plantations.

A second African diaspora group of people are known as the Garneau people. Although some history of this group is shared with the Creoles, they are also different. The Garneau people are designated an indigenous population due to their ancestry with indigenous Amerindian tribes from the Orinoco Basin.

The two African Diaspora groups were kept separate since Creoles were still enslaved when the Garneau people arrived in Belize as free people. 

The British used the “divide and conquer” strategy to sow division and suspension between the two groups who originated from Africa as enslaved people.

Like the United States, Belize became home to different groups of people who left their homeland. Whether people were fleeing civil wars in Mexico, Guatemala, or El Salvador, Belize is known for being the peaceful little country where nothing happens, and the people co-exist peacefully.  

Today, almost everyone living in Belize can trace their heritage to another land either in the same region or across the oceans. 

The country is a rich living laboratory for college students and educators to explore and study how a small country with its rich diversity of cultures and languages form one national identity known as the Belizean identity. 

As a young independent country, we must see our challenges as opportunities and truly bring alive and demonstrate our resolve to be a group of people who live in partnership with the environment and who love all people regardless of their race, color, or culture.

Long live my beautiful Belize!”

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Education in Belize

As stated at the start of the preceding interview, Rhondine Petrof is a passionate Educator who founded and directs the TOUCAN EDUCATION PROGAM [Toucan], a study abroad program that hosts students to visit and study in Belize.

TEP makes it possible for undergraduate college students to ENGAGE BEYOND THEIR BORDERS through rich, robust, unforgettable learning experiences. Moreover, this invaluable learning opportunity will enable the student to apply what is learned abroad well into their future and to make a difference.

TEP SAYS YES!! – to inspired learning by offering programs that are uniquely designed to TEACH students:

• To connect directly and meaningfully with the People and Cultures of Belize through community projects. These projects leave a lasting, positive impact on the local community and offers the student new learning about service.
• About the connection between tourism management and natural resource management, about the priorities and practice of eco-tourism and nature-tourism, about the value and impact on the natural and cultural ecosystems.
• How Belize wrestles with sustainably developing its people and economies particularly from a rural perspective.

Each of these study abroad programs has a distinct mission and includes field trips, cultural and historical excursions, hands-on learning and guest educators. See the attached brochures for MORE program information.