2nd Annual Indigenous People’s Resistance Day Celebration in Belize
Belize’s second annual Indigenous People’s Resistance Day was commemorated on Monday. The day was formerly known as Columbus Day in recognition of the Europeans coming to side of the world. But, Columbus is widely viewed as colonizer and not a discoverer. It is known that his arrival led to widespread deaths and the indigenous ways of life. So, Indigenous People’s Resistance Day honors the ancestors of indigenous communities who defended their lands and people from European invaders. News Five’s Paul Lopez was in Corozal. He filed the following report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The second annual Indigenous People’s Resistance Day was commemorated in Corozal Town at Santa Rita Archaeological Site. The day began with a fuego sagrado or Mayan fire ceremony to seek help from the deities, ancestors and the spiritual forces of nature. This ceremony was held at five a.m. The official Indigenous People Resistance Day ceremony was held in front of structure seven, the main structure at the site.
Adela Vallejos
Adela Vallejos, Executive Member, To’One Masehualoon,
“Welcome to this beautiful day in this beautiful setting where we are proudly celebrating the second Indigenous People’s Resistance Day celebration at this most sacred Maya temple of Chactemal which is a symbol of a stronghold of resistance against the invaders for so many centuries.”
In Belize the Maya and Garifuna people are recognized as indigenous. On this day, both ethnic groups celebrated in a display of unity. Garifuna drummers played their drums and sung at the foot of the Maya temple.
Cynthia Ellis
Cynthia Ellis, Ambassador at Large to the Garifuna Nation
“Today in this tribute, the time has come for us to speak, for me to speak. I want to thank all the dignitaries who are here and thank the government of Belize and the honorable Briceño for having the openness to invite a dialogue, not just for Garifuna, not just for Maya, but for all of Belize, that we set an example for the world of how people can get along. This is what is happening here today.”
The event also featured cultural dance performances from various dance groups outfitted in traditional wear, a musical performance by the students at Nelvy Music School and traditional Mayan food. This mother and daughter duo was serving up pork tacos that has its own name in the Mayan language and it is not to be mistaken with pibil tacos.
Irma Correa
Irma Correa, Vendor
“It is a typical pork but in Maya it is called, but it is an all night cooking and preheated this morning to be good for today.”
Paul Lopez
“I know something called pibil, how is this different from pibil?”
Irma Correa
“Pibil is underground with stone and a lot of palms that they put on it so that it cooks underground. But this one no, this is the one you fire hot all night but in slow cooking.”
They also prepared tamales de chaya, with chicken for guests.
Irma Correa
“This is a chaya with chicken and coll and the actual chaya leafs sliced and put in the massa.”
Several other activities were carried out in the afternoon, including a pok ta’ pok ball game. For the Maya and Garifuna people, Indigenous People’s Resistance Day has become a time to celebrate their heritage and, as Andy Chuc puts it, a time to decolonize history and mindsets.
Andy Chuc
Andy Chuc, Member, To’One Masehualoon
“For two hundred years the Maya resisted European colonialism and then the British came. Even though the British has denied our existence, even though that they said we were not here, the people that did not suppose to exist were fighting. Then our Maya brothers came from across the Rio Hondo. And this is where we need to be careful because when people hear we came here they say hear this, the Mayas are immigrants. They are indigenous but not indigenous to Belize. This is a common word people say. But these words only come out from the minds of colonialism, from people who don’t know their history and people who might put ketchup in their garnaches and tamales.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
