Belize Music

In modern world today, music is listened to more than 1.1 million people around the world. Each individual has their own type of music to get entertained. Music is not only recorded for no reason. Each song has their meaning behind the songs. Music keeps the mind busy and creates different emotional feeling depending of the song. Everyone has their type of music to listen.

But The songs which aren't heard very much is in Belize. What makes Belize popular is one group called "The Garifuna Collective's".  They travel around the world to keep Belize culture alive. With its high culture and music, Belize continues its tradition to  keep Belize well known. Kriol, Mestizo, Garifuna and Maya are a mix ethnic group and music of Belize. Since the 17th century British colonizers arrived in the area after decades of Maya's habitates.

Here's a brief history of Belize music today:

The Garifuna - Garifuna folk music and dance encompass many styles including: punta, hungu-hungu, combination, wanaragua, abaimahani, matamuerte, laremuna wadaguman, gunjai, charikanari, sambai, charikanari, eremuna egi, paranda, berusu, punta rock, teremuna ligilisi, arumahani, and Mali-amalihani. Punta and Punta rock are the most popular forms of dance music in Garifuna culture.

 Punta is performed around holidays and at parties, and other social events. Punta lyrics are usually composed by the women. Chumba and hunguhungu are circular dances in a three beat rhythm, which are often combined with punta. There are other songs typical to each gender, women having eremwu eu and abaimajani, rhythmic a cappella songs, and laremuna wadaguman, men's work songs. One great showcase of Garifuna songs is Andy Palacio.

Drums play an important role in Garifuna music. These drums are typically made of hollowed-out hardwood such as mahogany or mayflower, with the skins coming from the peccary (wild bush pig), deer, or sheep. Also used in combination with the drums are the sisera.

 

 Mestizo song- Mestizo culture in north and west Belize, and also Guatemala, is characterized by marimba, a xylophone-like instrument descended from an African instrument. Marimba bands use drum sets, double bass and sometimes other instruments.

Kriol song- Is known as Brukdown created by Kriol. Its evolution out of music and dance of loggers, which is form called Buru. Buru was often satirical in nature, and eventually grew more urban, accompanied by a donkey's jawbone, drums and a banjo. The word brukdown may come from broken down calypso, referring to the similarities between brukdown and Trinidadian calypso music; the presence of large numbers of Jamaicans in Belize also led to an influence from mento music.

 The "boom and chime groups" use bass guitar, electric guitar and congas, for example. Popular brukdown groups include The Tigers, The Mahogany Chips, Mimi Female Duet and Brad Pattico. Brukdown remains a rural, rarely recorded genre.

The Maya maintain a strong cultural from their past through rituals, folklore and family. Celebration in Maya culture are Fiestas, dancing and traditional music remain important. Throughout the year several festivals and celebrations occur. Masks, and elaboration costumes are worn by dances, singers, and musicians in special occasions.   All Saint's day occur on the 1st and 2nd of November. Huge feast are  prepared for their cultural ancients.  Meals are made for the late evening are set on the table with candles in the houses of those who have lost their loved ones. If food in the morning is gone the people believe their loved ones came to eat.