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As far as we know the Mayans were the first to settle in Belize. Scientists believe that they were among the peoples who crossed the “Bering Straits” between Asia and North America during the fourth Ice Age (20,000 years ago). They eventually wandered southward to places like Belize where they created over a period of 3,000 years , an advanced and flourishing civilization which reached its peak even while Europe was still in the Dark Ages. Magnificent stone pyramids with corbelled arches and other vestiges of this ancient civilization have been left deep within our dense rainforest, as tribute to a people whose achievements in astronomy, mathematics and architecture have been paralleled by few. |
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Mayan settlements in Belize today are limited mainly to the north (Yucatec), west and southern portions of the country (Mopan and Ke’kchi Maya respectively). The ancient languages are still spoken among a few and although many Mayans have become “Christianized” in Catholicism over time, religious beliefs and practices have survived to present day. Polytheistic in nature, Mayan religion has deities representing anything from the sun (Kinich Ahau) , or the rain (Chac) , to the supreme being (Hunab Ku) . The concept of creation is well detailed in a sacred book called the ‘Popol Vuh’ and according to Maya belief , the world was created and destroyed several times and this present creation is expected to end in the year 2012. |
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The sacred ‘Ceiba’ tree of life (Yaxche) and underground caves hold a singular importance as gateways to Xibalba , or the watery underworld. It is thought that the spirits of all the deceased must first descend the nine layers of hell via these gateways prior to ascending the thirteen layers of heaven.
Festive occasions are marked by much eating and drinking accompanied by the music of traditional flutes (chirimia), guitars, violins, harps and a unique xylophone-type instrument known as the ‘marimba’. Cultural vibes and rhythms of Belize intends to send you back in time through a cultural time-capsule to relive the history , to sample the food and to witness the centuries old preparation of traditional corn tortillas, or that of the original chocolate drink from real cacao beans . Needless to say , only the rich had the privilege of drinking cacao , when you consider that the cacao bean itself served as local currency and thus had as important an economic value as jade. While you treat your taste buds to genuine Belizean cuisine , come and be serenaded by the pleasant strings of Mayan harp and marimba melodies. |
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