World Begins Anew, Caracol Winter Solstice

The World Begins Anew

As part of the 2012 year of activities, the National Institute of Culture and History organized overnight cultural tour experiences of the equinoxes and solstices at the site of Caracol in the Pine Ridge Reserve of Cayo, Belize.

We were given a tour by three of Belize’s senior archaeologists Dr. Alan Moore, Dr. Jaime Awe, and Dr. John Morris.

After a delicious dinner buffet of coco-soup, chaya bollos, chicken and pork pibil, corn tortillas, and tamalitos, we were given an excellent 2-part presentation on the Maya Worldview of 2012 and an overview of the work conducted and knowledge attained thus far of the splendid city-state of Caracol.

At the sound of the drum and flute around 3am on 21 December, the Shamans (spiritual guides), Maya elders, children and youth made their way to the A Structure, more commonly known as the E-Group.

The E-Groups are structures that were designed by the ancient Maya to map the movement of the sun during the yearly equinoxes and solstices. Needlessly to say, this was usually accompanied with great religious significance for the Maya.

Remarks from a Spiritual Elder:

T

...Everything has an owner. It’s like us. We have pets and we are their owners. It’s the same way with the forest. Our Lord and Creator of Earth placed everything on earth for us to manage it. With this said, I give infinite thanks to God and our Ancestors who have had this way of life and have left for us all that we are able to observe. We can see their power and great wisdom that they had and which they have passed on to us. At times many of us humans have been ungrateful and have taken down the forest and rejected this way of life. This wisdom must be passed to our future generations...

Structure A "E-Group" at Caracol

The drowsy guests gradually encircled the altar built at the centre of the plaza to mark the end of the 13 Baktun. The Fire Ceremony was chiefly conducted by four spiritual guides of four Maya ethnic sub-groups:  Mopan, Yucatec, Kekchi, and Itza Maya.

The incense and payers were offered to the Creator, Mother Earth, traditional deities of the Maya, and the ancestors, and our Nahuals (spiritual overseers).

From what I was able to gather, it was mostly prayers of thanksgiving and of supplication for greater wellbeing of the Maya, humanity, and Mother Earth as we entered into a new cycle of life.  

At about 6am, we were shyly greeted by the the presence of Kinich Ahau in the cloudy morning with the playing of the flute. It was not until an hour after that his bright presence was seen above the south of Structure A-6.

Kinich Ahua makes his presence known 

Flute music accompanied Kinich Ahua:

It was truly a magnificent experience, fire ceremonies were conducted at various sacred centres (archaeological sites) throughout the Maya world.

Ticket

Dr. Jaime Awe

Co-Workers ISCR

Women played an important(behind the scene) role in the Ceremony

I’ll be uploading a few more images and video clips in due time. 

Ambassador Shoman and Fred Martinez talks on going to ICJ

Belize's former Ambassador and Belizean historian Assad Shoman along with Alfredo Martinez (Ambassador of Belize to Guatemala) render their views on going to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as a final resolution to end Guatemala's unfounded claim over Belize.

Interestingly, Shoman says the Gov has a copy of an unpublished legal opinion Guat had received which advised them they did not have a case against Belize. This is unlike Belize legal opinion that is available in the public domain and which argues the same.

** I would want to see that unpublished material though and leak it into the public domain! ;)

***Shoman promises to make a publication on Belize-Guat free of charge by Feb 2013.

Belize and Guatemala will hold a referendum in 2013 as to whether to take the case before the ICJ for final resolution.

Video from Open Your Eyes:




Video from Lovefm/tv:

Workshop on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)

The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) through the Institute for Social and Cultural Research (ISCR) recently held a National Workshop on the Implementation of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage from the 5th - 9th November, 2012.  House of Culture, Belize City. 

By ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ we refer to music (punta, brukdown, zapateado, etc), songs (carnival songs, folksongs), dances (jonkunu, deer dance), festivals (San Jose Palmar Festival, Maya Day Festival), games (pitpan race, torrito), storytelling (annansi, Maya animal stories), rituals (nine-nights, marriage), language (Maya, Creole), and masquerades (carnival, cortez dance), among other expressions of culture.

Belize signed the Convention in 2007. Since then, we have submitted only one of our ICH to the International List which is the "Language, dance, and music of the Garifuna" in 2009. This was a result of the Garifuna language having been declared a Garifuna Language, Music and Dance a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Belize along with Trinidad and Tobago are the only two Caribbean states with an item on the international list thus far. 

This does not mean that we have not been involved in safeguarding our cultural traditions. Indeed, it became apparent that many Belizeans (individuals, communities, educators, organizations and groups) have been contributing towards the goals of the convention. The Convenetion nonetheless provides an excellent platform from which current measures of 'safeguarding' can be improved for greater success. 

The workshop was part of regional and global effort organized by UNESCO Cultural Section and funded by the government and people of Japan. The workshop focused on developing the necessary knowledge and research capacity for cultural workers to obtain the maximum benefits of the Convention for our communities and nation.

The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Kris Rampersad, who did a wonderful job. 

The participants were from a cross-section of the Belizean socio-cultural landscape. They were persons who have been engaged in promoting and preserving the major cultural groups in Belize such as the East Indian, Maya, Mestizo, Creole, and Garifuna cultures. They were also representatives from the various Houses of Cultures and educators.  Like myself, they all found the workshop to be a very enlightening experience. 

On the final day of the workshop, an "ICH Declaration for Belize" was drafted and signed by participants. The Declaration recommends key goals that ought to be pursed by the participants and NICH to fulfill the Safeguarding of Belize's Intangible Cultural Heritage. Another workshop is schedueld to take place in 2013 to continue the capacity building of Belizeans necessary for the implementation of the Convention and by extention for the cellebration and preservation of Belize's rich multicultural society and heritage. 

Here is a verbatim rending of the ICH Declaration: 

Photos courtesy of Sylvia Perez and Phylicia Pelayo

Opportunities for Renewable Energy Development in Belize

Opportunities for Renewable Energy Development in Belize

Despite its small size and population, Belize is one of the most culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse countries in Central America. As a member of the Caribbean Community  (CARICOM) as well as the Cent ral American Integration System  (SICA), it is the only Central American country with strong ties to both theCaribbean  and Latin America. In the initial phase of our project in the region , the Worldwatch Institute is assessing the existing barriers to and opportunities for a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable energy system in Belize—an outcome that could connect these two neighboring yet culturally distinct communities and provide tangible benefits to both.

Source: Public Utilities Commission of Belize

With a population of only 350,000 and a national economy of US$1.5 billion in 2011 , Belize does not consume large amounts of energy. Peak electricity demand in 2010 was 80.6 megawatts (MW), well below the U.S. state of Vermont’s peak energy demand of 953 MW in 2011. Belize’s low energy consumption makes it a suitable location for further development of clean, indigenous energy sources.

Currently, Belize depends heavily on foreign energy sources. In 2010, the country imported more than a third of its electricity from the Mexican power provider, Comisión Federal de Electricidad . In addition, Belize spent approximately $129 million, or 18.2 percent of its total import expenditures, on imported fuels. Not only has this raised energy prices for consumers, but if Belize continues to rely largely on imports to meet its energy demand, it will be highly susceptible to fluctuations on the international market. The Belizean government must explore other, local energy resources to strengthen and stabilize the country’s energy sector.

Over the last 20 years, Belize has spent considerable resources developing domestic hydropower. TheMollejon power plant , a 25.2 MW run-of-the-river facility on the Macal River, was completed in 1995 and is owned by Belize Electricity Company Limited (BECOL), a subsidiary of Belize Electricity Limited . A decade later, BECOL completed the “Chalillo” facility a few miles upstream, to increase the plant’s total output. Many people objected to the Chalillo dam , however, because they believed (and some studies demonstrated) that it would threaten the ecological diversity of the Macal River Valley. Environmental groups, including the U.S.-based Natural Resources Defense Council, filed lawsuits  alleging that the project would destroy critical rainforest habitat for the jaguar, scarlet macaw, howler monkey, tapir, and other endangered and threatened species.

Country map of Belize. (Source: CIA World Factbook).

Supporters of the Chalillo project argued that the dam was necessary because it would lessen Belize’s dependence on Mexican power and expand domestic access to electricity. In the end, the dam was built , but the project highlighted the public resistance to large hydroelectric projects and their environmental impacts. The project also illustrated the competing interests in furthering economic development while also safeguarding important natural resources. Moving forward, Belize will need to focus its attention on renewable energy sources with fewer negative environmental consequences.

Like many Central American countries, Belize has a large untapped renewable energy potential; however, the extent of this remains largely unknown, due to the lack of comprehensive assessments. If the Belizean government were to commit to developing domestic solar, wind, and biomass resources—as well as updating the grid system—these renewable sources alone would likely be able to satisfy Belize’s entire energy demand.

Although Belize lacks a national wind energy assessment, known wind resources exist in Baldy Beacon, a region capable of supplying 20 MW of electricity from wind turbines , or almost a quarter of the country’s electricity needs. The Belizean government needs to conduct a comprehensive wind resource assessment to identify other suitable turbine locations. In addition to studying the feasibility of a wind farm in Baldy Beacon, there is significant potential for small-scale, off-grid wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in communities without access to the national grid.

Biomass energy is another option. In 2009, BELCOGEN, a subsidiary of Belize Sugar Industries, completed a waste-to-energy power plant in the district of Orange Walk that is capable of generating 31.5 MW of electricity. The cogeneration facility reportedly uses only 8 percent heavy fuel and relies on 92 percent biomass, burning wet bagasse, or residue from the sugarcane milling process, to generate high-pressure steam. Due to the extent of sugar production in Belize , similar facilities could be established in the future to produce more local, clean energy.

Bagasse, wind power, and solar energy all offer an excellent alternative for a country that to-date has relied heavily on imported electricity, controversial large-scale hydropower, and fossil fuel imports.

Sean Ahearn is a Climate and Energy intern at Worldwatch Institute.

Source: http://blogs.worldwatch.org/revolt/opportunities-for-renewable-energy-development-in-belize/

Remarks and applauds to Krem Sunday Review

I have been following up on the Krem Sunday Review hosted by Yaya Marin-Coleman aka “the agitator” and Clinton “Pulu” Lightburn aka the “whip” for some weeks now.  From what I can gather, Yaya is a down to earth person and with a powerful mind-set that makes her critical of real and at times perceived injustice. Pulu has an extensive knowledge and experience of politics and the behind the scenes stories. The outspokenness may certainly rub off the wrong way with some people, but if one observes closely the Sunday Review has the interest of the Belizean masses at heart.

Niall Gillett (Ex-Co-Host) and Yaya-Marin Coleman Krem Sunday Review

Pulu Lightburn, Krem Sunday Review

I was a bit astounded and much thrilled by Yaya undaunted defiance to question her past co-host Niall Gillett on the most recent show (Oct 28, 2012). Gillett was obviously dancing around her questions. At one point, Gillett was asked to estimate what percentage of the attendants at the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) consultation was in a position to critically contribute to the discussion. His response was that he was not able to say but he was able to brag about how many people the company had managed to bring out.

Now, like Yaya, I believe this is an important point. This was also the point raised by SATIIM regarding the necessity for the Maya people to have a thorough understanding of the EIA. This is not to suggest that the Maya people are not capable of thinking. No, no, the question was rather to highlight the fact that critical thinking especially concerning an EIA requires a certain level of training and exposure.

In an introductory course at the University of Belize (UB), it became obvious that an EIA is of outmost importance but can be conceptually/scientifically complex. There are several environmental programs at our national university. It’s more than that; the only graduate program at UB is a master’s in Biodiversity Conservation & Sustainable Development. Therefore, I would like to encourage the University (faculty and students) to play a more prominent role in discussing and debating issues of national interest.

Our University needs to do more to make students realize that they are agents of change and leaders of development. We need to do away with the idea that one should pursue higher education simply to increase ones salary – a remark I have heard every so often by students. In place of this philosophy, we must embrace education with a perspective driven by change, equality, and action for the betterment of society.

I strongly believe that most people are not in the best positioned to make a really thorough and critical review of the EIA. This is a reality which capitalists exploit to their benefit. They make us feel that it is us that need them. We need jobs. We need to work for someone. Living by the fruits of mother earth is not the way to live. You must seek to ‘progress’ – to earn more and buy more, is the overriding philosophy of the day. It is the indigenous worldview which is consistently looked down upon by “Them” and even by some of “Us”.

But back to the appraisal, the Sunday Review is a show which I encourage Belizeans to tune in on. Given the way things work in Belize, we will sooner or later see other shows like these popping up. However, the true value of a news review is to incorporate as many viewpoints, seek to rigorously validate the information in the media and to keep it real.

The Sunday Review is taking shape as the media personage that is unafraid to think outside the box and dares to keep characters on their toes. Applauses!

Amandala Online

Purple Movement General Meeting

On Sunday October 21, 2012, youths from the Purple Movement held a general public meeting to inform the community of their status, structure, and goals. There were about 20 persons in attendance. The small number of turn out is linked to the heavy rains throughout most of the day. 

The Executive consists of about 15-18 members. One or two of them were unable to attend on that day. They have formed several managerial posts such as president, vice president, treasurer, public relations personnel, research committee, and entertainment committee, etc. 

To be honest, my perception is that the group is still in the process of taking shape and identifying it's most strategic goal. But one thing is certain, they want to do their best to make a positive change. I am of the opinion that the community is strongly discontented with the prevalent crime and that we as young people need to be that voice for the masses, and reinforce the idea that we deserve better.   

One central aspect to the executive appears to be to raise funds to contribute towards the establishment of an operational DNA Lab at the Forensic Lab, in Ladyville. At the same time though, this became somewhat unclear when they mentioned that they want to do a survey to ask people if this is something worth pursuing. I believe that this is a noble initiative but believe that Government should fulfill this demand without reaching into the pockets of poor people. Yet, I hope it works out. 

At the meeting, perhaps due to my own undiplomatic way of speaking, I was misunderstood, felt disappointed and decided to leave.They were very much on the defensive of my opinions. I was envisioning revolutionary changes and being mindful of the weakness and strengths of a movement based on my theoretical understandings and interest to drive change. I liked Ms. Ocheata comment which allowed me to better understand their defensiveness. She asked if I was a friend of Suzanne to which I replied no. She then said that the group of young people in the executive were her friends and that in a way  are still grieving, they want to see this pull through. But bygones being bygones, I have encouraged the young people to push on through.

Carmita, president of the executive expressed her desire to invite me to an executive meeting but I feel that it’s in the best interest of the group for them to proceed to strengthen their committee and allow it to take some shape.

I hope that they can capture the common interest of people and lead them to believe that they have the power to make change.

Most young people in our society don’t really care about crime or any social issues. Also, there are only a few genuine politicians who have Belizean interest at heart. Therefore, they are many challenges ahead, but with determination they are all surmountable. 

Always be mindful that our realities depend on our inaction and ACTIONS.

Here are some clips of the meeting. Please forgive the quality, I was taking notes as I recorded. 

by Rolando Cocom

El Cayo Town

Cayo and Benque Viejo were declared towns on Oct 19, 1904. That's 108 years ago. 

Goverment Gazette

CHRONOLOGY OF HISTORICAL EVENTS IN 

THE SETTLEMENT OF EL CAYO

Presented on the Occasion of the Centennial Vigil 1783 – 1950

by Elias A. Awe

Following Dr. Jaime Awe’s lucid presentation on the Early Hunters of the Pleistocene Age roaming this area, up to the times of the Mayan Empire, I will now cite other important dates and events in our history, which had an impact in our area, leading up to 1950.

1783 - 1803: Woodcutters harvested all the mahogany trees that were close to the riverbank.  Consequently, in 1803 they began to haul the logs with oxen; and in this way they were able to harvest mahogany trees as far as 5 to 10 miles from the riverbank.  Before the introduction of oxen, Baymen labor was employed to haul the logs to the riverbank. The log fellers went to the forest around November/ December each year.  The men camped in the forest until the beginning of the rainy season in the following year – that would be around June/July.  At that time the men would break camps and float all the logs they had harvested up to the Boom.

1835: in April the Superintendent of Belize stated that the most westerly point of occupation by British woodcutters was 26 miles west of Garbutt Falls. Garbutt Falls is located on the Mopan River or the western branch of the Belize River.

1839:  the British woodcutters had established a permanent settlement at Duck Run (just east of present day San Ignacio). This was the beginning of permanent settlements along the upper reaches of the Belize River.

1847: 30 July the Caste War in Yucatan began and many Mayans settled in what is today, Bullet Tree Falls, San Jose Succotz, San Antonio and Chial (Tipú).

1852:  Spanish speaking people from Peten, who came to work as woodcutters, began to settle at Spanish Lookout and by 1866 this place had become a thriving village of about 70 families. One of the settlers, Mr. Roberto Lunas had a sugar making business there. One Jose Maria Lopez from Peten had a distillery going for himself.

1856:  Garbutt Falls became the boundary between Belize and Guatemala.1859: Treaty between Britain and the Republic of Guatemala raises the unfounded Guatemalan claim bringing tension to the bordering towns of El Cayo and Benque Viejo del Carmen.

1862: Belize becomes the colony of “British Honduras’.

1865:  the British woodcutters had consolidated their land rights along all the major rivers of Belize. One of these land rights was located between the Mopan River or western branch and the Macal River or eastern branch of the Belize or Old River and was called The Caye Works or Bank or simply known as The Caye or El Cayo in Spanish .

1865:  a priest by the name of Fr. Eugene Biffi visited the Mahogany camps along the Belize River, and reported baptizing a child at the Caye camp. This priest returned at the camp in 1866 and baptized another child.

1866: Spanish Lookout, Duck Run, Branch Mouth and the Caye (Cayo) had permanent settlers. In that same year hostilities between the British and the Mayas of San Pedro broke out.

1867: the British burned down the village of San Pedro (was located in the Yalbac area) and the surrounding villages including all their crops. The Mayas retaliated by attacking and burning down all the British camps from Society Hall up to Branch Mouth including the Maya villages of Benque Viejo and Succotz. In that year no woodcutting was undertaken. The government surveyor Mr. J.H. Faber visited the area and reported that all the camps were burned, abandoned and in ruins.

1868: the British woodcutters re-established their camps. Early in that year, Fr. Andrew Bavastro, a Catholic priest, visited the “Caye” and baptized a few children. He returned in 1869. 

1870: Fr. Andrew Bavastro established a small chapel at the “Caye” and dedicated it to San Ignacio and so the “Caye” came to be known as the “Caye of St. Ignatius” or “El Cayo de San Ignacio,” and it soon became a thriving village.

1878: Edgar Alexander August became the first and the only Alcalde recorded in the village of El Cayo (Government Gazette).

1881: the area was declared the Cayo District and San

Ignacio became the capital. Thereafter the development of the capital and the district gathered momentum.1882: in September – the first District Commissioner, Benjamin Travers, was appointed; 1882 – In October the Government Pitpan appointed to leave the Cayo for Belize on the 10the and Belize for the Cayo on the 18 the of every month.

1883:  Fr. José María Pinelo was the first Marriage Officer in the village of San Ignacio.

1900: Influx of refugees from Guatemalan bordering towns, Plancha de Piedra, Fallabon and La Polvora due to severe drought in the area. The refugees settled in Benque Viejo del Carmen and El Cayo.

1904: 19 the of October, San Ignacio was declared a town, vide the Government Gazette of British Honduras No. 319, M.P. 1722/1904 dated the 19the of October, 1904 which briefly states: “The Governor in Council has this day declared the Cayo and Benque Viejo to be towns under the provisions of Chapter 98 of the Consolidated Laws.” Signed by Command, H.E.W. Grant for Colonial Secretary.

1905: First Anglican Priest, Rev. C.G. MacArthur,

arrives in El Cayo.1908: The “Cacique” motorboat captained by Facundo Audinett was the first boat to ever blow its whistle at the banks of Benque Viejo del Carmen. A big celebration was held in Benque for this occasion.

1907 to 1914: the chicle industry was very prominent in the growth and development of the town. Sadly, that era also came to be known as the Wild West. Many hard working people including 3 policemen lost their lives due to the extreme violence and lawlessness which prevailed. Fortunately, from then on, peace and progress has prevailed right up to the present.

1914 - 1918: 1^st World War brought hardship to El Cayo  and the rest of Belize.

1918: Anglican Church moves to its present location on Burns Avenue. Land donated by John O. Waight.

1921: Pallotine Convent opened on June 2 with Sisters Dominica, Sebastiana, Veronica and Radigundis as the pioneering nuns in El Cayo.

1926:  Catholic Church (with steeples) constructed.

1930: Mr. Federick Bradley, continued to use oxen to haul mahogany logs from the forest around San Antonio to Duffy Bank.

1939 - 1945: 2nd World War brought even more hardship to El Cayo as the UK was suffering from serious economic problems.

1945: mahogany logs were being hauled from the deep forest with “Super White” trucks and trailers to Duffy Bank, Cristo Rey and Monkey Falls.  By that time the workers did not stay in the camps for six months but instead for several weeks during the harvesting.

1947: Western highway (dirt road) was opened from

Belize City to El Cayo thus the adventurous Cayo Boat

Service started to fade out.

1948: St. Martin’s Credit Union opened its doors and

was the first banking service in the area. (Fr. Bernard

C. Zimmerman S.J.)

1949: The Hawkesworth Bridge was constructed making way for increased commerce.

1949: St. Martin’s Credit Union received its

Certificate of Incorporation (licence) on May 20 as the first ‘banking’ institution in the west.

1949: In the month of December, the British Government devalued the Belize Dollar after it had assured the people that it would not do so. This was “the straw that broke the Camel’s back” as that same night  of the announcement, the People’s Committee was formed to protest the actions of the colonial masters.

1950: The new San Ignacio Police Station was constructed. One hundred years ago, it took about 5 days by boat to go to Belize City and as much as 10 days on the return trip.  (Today Belize is only 1 ½ hours away).  There was no telephone; no potable water; no electricity; today at the touch of a button we can talk to anyone, anywhere in the country of Belize or the world.  The comfort and the convenience enjoyed today represent the hard work, sacrifice, resilience, vision and diligence of our ancestors.  May this generation reflect today – that they also have a duty and responsibility to continue the great work for prosperity.

For more info on El Cayo: