Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2018 | Page 148

Belizean Christmas Traditions
PC: Wikipedia
PC: National Kriol Council
Christmas celebrations in the villages
throughout Belize reflects the country’s
ethnic landscape with the various cultures
proudly displaying their own unique
Christmas traditions. For those who are
interested in cultural experiences, Belize
is an enlightening place to visit during the
Christmas season.
The Bram is an aspect of the Creole culture
similar to caroling that occurs during the
Christmas season. It involves people going
from house to house while singing and
dancing. This is accompanied by Brokdong
which is making music with instruments
such as forks, graters, drums and effectively
anything that can be used to make music.
This tradition comes with its own Brokdong
songs and activities which sees participation
from many of the people in the village. One of
the places you can visit to see The Bram is the
village of Gales Point Manatee.
Photo Credit: TravelVal
PC: National Garifuna Council
One of the Garifuna Christmas traditions
involves the Garifuna Jonkunu dancers
whose dances is a celebration of freedom
from slavery and freedom to celebrate with
friends and family, while subtly mocking
the slave masters. The Deer Dance is a Maya
performance which tells the story of a maiden
being kidnapped by a jaguar. A hun ter takes
off in pursuit. Two dogs will then chase a deer
and a joker makes fun of it all.
The Mestizo culture celebrates Los Posados
which is a re-enactment of the birth of
Jesus. It is a nine-day festival consisting of
a procession through the streets of Benque
Viejo del Carmen with statues of Mary and
Joseph. This procession ends at a designated
home where the participants are initially
denied entry and act out the scenario of
Mary and Joseph seeking lodging at the inn.
They are eventually let in and after prayers
and refreshment, the statues are left there
overnight. This procession is repeated every
night until Christmas.