Creole Museum recreates bygone era

Numerous census exercises over the last three decades tell us that Belize’s Creoles are no longer the nation’s largest ethnic group. But Creole culture … that’s another story. Today, I visited a home on upper Albert Street that’s as Creole as they come.

Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
The Creole Museum is a first of its kind. The building which is the former residence of Methodist ministers, dates back to the 1940?s and has been renovated to exhibit a traditional Creole family setting. From the time you step into the parlour your attention is quickly drawn to the architectural design and décor?that according to museum founder Sharon Pitts-Robateau–will bring back fond memories of a stressful era.

Sharon Pitts-Robateau, Founder, Belize Creole Museum and Gallery
?I think you feel welcome because hmm you could say well come in, the me mek am, no? But you see the bright green and pink Marley.?

The pair of mahogany sitting chairs, sittee and other furnishings are inviting as you are drawn into a favourite past time of the Creole culture

Sharon Pitts?Robateau
?You know Creole people we like when people visit we. Even if they are running an errand or they come on business before they get to it, it is considered rude if they no have wa li chit chat because weh we Creole good fu do dah shush. Wah nother way to put it is chuk mowt. Talk. Them like talk.?

In those days Belizean families used phonographs and tube radios?not Ipods or DVDs.

Sharon Pitts?Robateau
?It use to bring the community together you know. Because people would gather at who had radio and they would be listening to boxing in somebody?s living room or close to the street and people the peep in and so.?

?Then you see the phonograph right, people use to wind. You use to work for your music you know, the old turn table part of it.?

The crockery includes everything from a hundred year old dish to a metal and glass water jug, tea pots and calabash container. In the bedroom, this four post mahogany canopy bed is over two hundred years. It still includes the key that was used to take down the furniture. At the foot of the bed lies a quilt that dates back to 1961 following a rescue mission during hurricane Hattie.

Sharon Pitts?Robateau
?That quilt was contributed by a lady who got it?she was stranded up the Belize River. I think it was around the Scotland area during hurricane Hattie and the relief helicopter came and dropped supplied including that quilt. Notice at the top of the bed we have a mosquito netting ? we want breeze but the flies wa come in.?

In an area referred to as the breezeway on your way into the kitchen there lies an array of tools Creole men would use to earn a living like this two man saw that was use to cut mahogany trees and make pitpan dories. This large round wooden basin was not only used to take a bath but to do laundry that took as long as one week to sort, bleach soak, dry and iron.

Sharon Pitts?Robateau
?But you have a Creole ting when somebody wants to boast that they get the better of somebody in a quarrel they will say when I done leather she, wash she, rinse she and hang she out to dry you know okay. So we have that way. The anecdotes and the way of talking go back to the very occupation, the livelihood.?

The museum and Gallery represents what life was like in most Creole homes between 1940?s and the early part of the 1970?s. Pitts Robateau says the entire experience has been overwhelming but very positive.

Sharon Pitts?Robateau
?I never know people would turn up and be interested, but there has been a lot of interviews and interest. Professional people have come by and young people. The neighbours in this area send over plant. People come volunteer li time to help with the yard. They are talking about the building history and they are giving we insight about their community. Support has been tremendous.?

The museum, located on the street leading to Bird’s Isle, is open eight a.m. to five p.m. Monday through Saturday.