Cultural Activities
A Kaleidoscope of Cultures
Toledo is home to probably the widest range of cultures found anywhere in Belize.
The inland (Mopan) Maya and Kekchi villages complemented by the Garifuna coastal settlements of Barranco and Peini, the East Indian villages of the (US) Confederate ‘Toledo Settlement’, and the Creole and Mestizo influences in modern-day Punta Gorda Town all combine to produce a veritable kaleidoscope of cultures, albeit with the ethnic groups retaining strong cultural traditions, most obviously through language, music, food, and dress.
More Information:
- Minimum Age: 8 years
- Half Day Trip
- Available Year-round
Creole Music
Most commonly known as ‘brukdown’, creole music is a mix of calypso melodies with a variety of musical instruments. Punta Gorda is most famed by a Belizean cultural icon, Leela Vernon (1950-2017), who worked to promote and preserving Creole culture through her music.
Ms. Leela was awarded the title “Queen of Brukdown”, received the Order of the British Empire for promoting Creole culture and music, and was named the Brukdown Artist of the Year in 2004. Today, a Leela Vernon Landmark has been established in Punta Gorda Town (#6 Front Street), otherwise known as the ‘Leela Vernon Memorial Museum and Kriol Kulcha House and botanical Garden’.
Maroon Creole Drum School is also one of Belize’s recognized Creole drumming groups, and also known for their ‘Drums Not Guns’ slogan.
Maya Experience
Immerse yourself into an authentic Maya Living Experience and an introduction into Maya life. The Cal family in Big Falls Village and the Mes family from Santa Cruz Village showcase their traditional Maya homes and farms while sharing their Maya history and culinary experiences.
Garifuna Drumming
Ray McDonald founded Warasa Garifuna Drum School in 2010 with a painted plywood sign outside his house, and interest quickly spread from giving regular lessons to include performances and lessons at a number of guesthouses and lodges throughout the District. Today, Warasa is proudly housed in its own traditional thatch building.
Ray is an engaging character and a very patient and skilled teacher, and can teach even the most non-musical to master at least one of the six traditional rhythms. Being fiercely proud of the Garifuna culture, lessons are filled with anecdotes and stories that provide a fascinating insight into the Garifuna culture – a culture which was little known outside of the region until recently, but one which is now recognized by UNESCO as a “masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity”.
The drums themselves are a labour of love, hollowed out from cedar, mahogany or yemeri logs, topped with deer skin held in place by vines, and a wire or string snare to intensify the sound. Ray’s drum-making lessons show you the basics of making a Garifuna drum – from chiselling, planing and sanding a solid log into shape, preparing the deerskin, making the natural wood pins to tighten the ropes, attaching the skin, to the final finishing touches. If you have the time (2 days, at least a week apart to allow for the deerskin to dry) you will even be able to make your own primero drum for an everlasting reminder of the Garifuna culture.
Cacao & Chocolate
