The Central American nation of Belize has 10 ethnic groups that comprise the general populace. Despite this, common festivities are still nationally celebrated. One of these events is Christmas, which be as diverse as it can get when it comes to traditions and customs.
So just to be sure, a lot of Belizeans still adhere to traditional Western Christmas traditions like setting up a tree, hanging up lights, and giving gifts. But these Belizeans do put their own local touch to the Yuletide season. Belizean Christmases have been characterized as multicultural and festive, with the abundance of masses, processions, dances, and dinners.
One prominent local tradition is the Las Posadas, a 10-day procession that commemorates the search of Mary and Joseph for a place where Jesus Christ would be born. In this procession, the statues of Mary and Joseph are brought to a different house every day to have them refreshed. This process is repeated every night until Christmas Eve, when Mary and Joseph make their way to the local church, where the Dance of the Pastores is observed, a performance symbolizing the shephers bringing gifts after the baby Jesus Christ is born.
Another Christmas practice, this one particularly observed by the Mayas, is the "Deer Dance," where the ethnic group demonstrate the relationship between man and nature. Meanwhile, the Garifuna observe the Charikanari, a similar tradition where the relationship between the deer and the hunter is shown.
Despite the diverse Christmas traditions, however, the people of Belize are one in thinking that Christmas is a time for people to visit their families and friends. It is a time when families are busy with cleaning their respective homes, because relatives our bound to come and the Belizeans do not want to get caught with a dirty house.
So do you think you're already ready for a Belizean Christmas? Do take a camera with a large memory with you. The varying events and happenings only happen once a year so you better catch those images!
