M USIC AND D ANCE OF B ELIZE By: Erika Lawrence

B ELIZEAN M USIC Features cultural blend of Creole, Mestizo, Garifuna, and Mayan influences. Each culture brings unique instruments indicative of the musical origin. Mestizo, heard in northern and western Belize, incorporate melodies of Marimba, Tap, Drums and double Bass Creole is found in more rural settings and makes use of drums, banjo, and donkey’s jaw bone. Similar to traditional Calypso music, Creole developed into a form called Burkdown. Garifuna folk style combining music and dance. Now recognized for Punta and Punta Rock, its pop dance form. In general, expect to hear local reggae, hip hop, and jazz.

P UNTA Drums and African chants and is danced as a group Dancing keeping arms and elbows close to upper body flexed while shaking and turning around. Normally performed at major festivals or special occasions. Junkaboo is a satire dance where the dancers dress like slave masters. Developed during slavery. Andy Placio is one of Belize’s most popular musicians, cultural hero, an activist for Garifuna culture and music. 4D488627DCA70A2 4D488627DCA70A2 Watina by Andy Placio

P UNTA R OCK More modern version of Punta Most popular of all music genres in Belize Moves are more provocative; hip gyrations more pronounced Done with a partner Super G is one of the most well known artists of this genre Super G-Muevelo Wale Wine 3&ac=now&url=http%3A//matadornetwork.com/night s/the-music-of-belize/ 3&ac=now&url=http%3A//matadornetwork.com/night s/the-music-of-belize/

B URKDOWN Belize Creole type of music Originated in the days of enslaved African loggers Done at night as a way to relax and enjoy themselves Done in Creole languages and is considered rural music at its finest Calypso rhythm consists of African chants Drums, accordion, banjo, and guitar Well known artists are Wilfred Peters, Leeva Vernon, and Gerald Rhaburn Wilfred Peters dded&v=5prAwRdjiZc#action=share dded&v=5prAwRdjiZc#action=share

P ARANDA Soulful sound backed by guitars and drums. Storytelling type of music. Paul Nabor is considered the world’s greatest and oldest Garifuna musician and Belize’s greatest Paranda artist. Responsible for Paranda being spread around the world. 3&ac=now&url=http%3A//matadornetwork.com/night s/the-music-of-belize/ 3&ac=now&url=http%3A//matadornetwork.com/night s/the-music-of-belize/

M AYAN M ARIMBA AND H ARP M USIC Played with a marimba or harp. Marimba played by a group of men for ceremonies and special occasions. Wooded xylophone originating from West Africa. Many make their own instruments from hardwood. The well known artist of this genre is Mayan Florence Mes. dded&v=R7F9qftl1N8#action=share dded&v=R7F9qftl1N8#action=share The group San Antonio

D ANCE V IDEOS If time permits, I can look up the dance videos. Because they are kind of provocative, I didn’t know if they would be appropriate for the classroom setting.