Belize and Guatemala are renowned for their vibrant histories. The combination of their beautiful white sandy beaches and relaxed island culture creates a fascinating blend of historical influences. Starting from the presence of the Ancient Maya dating back to approximately 2600 BCE to the era of European Colonization in the 1500s when both Spanish and British powers laid claim to the ancient and sacred lands, Belize’s earlier identity was British Honduras. Remarkably, even as late as 1964, Belize enjoyed self-rule, a result of the stipulations outlined in the 1763 Treaty of Paris. Political independence was not without strife between the indigenous and the British settlers and territories were under dispute with neighboring Guatemala. The colonial powers of Spain and Britain determined much of the border politics between the two culturally rich nations – Belize and Guatemala. Today Belize is a parliamentary democracy and Guatemala is a presidential representative democratic republic – both nations are home to some of the most powerful, historical archeological sites and ruins. Guatemala, originally known as Quauhtlemallan, or the place of many trees in the Nahuatl language, attained independence from Spain and Mexico in 1821 and the socialists were overthrown in 1954 and unfortunately, the Guatemalan Civil War is considered to be the longest in Latin American History.
When one arrives in Belize, the air feels fresh, and the colors of the ocean mesmerize. The culture at the airport reminds me of small city airports (think Khajuraho) in India where passengers often embark and disembark on the tarmac. Though some specifically arrive to party it up on the shores of the blue-green waters, there seems a genuine desire to explore the rich heritage of the indigenous civilization(s) from many disembarking passengers. Every hotel has well-established connections with tour guides who run a range of services for a range of prices. Usually included are 1-2 pyramid sites and an excursion to an island, depending on the winds that day. Some of the notable mentions include Xunantunich, Caracol, Altun Ha, Cahal Pech, Cerros, and Lamanai from the Belize side. Wherever one goes, it is important to plan to capture the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, whether on the water, in forests, or ruins. The pyramids are a must-see – it is best to ask the hotel concierge about day trips if one is staying in Belize City as the weather determines what can or cannot be done in terms of activities. We made day trips to Guatemala when exploring Maya sites that span both countries, I had the fortune to spend the most time at the Lamanai site.
The pyramids in this region served as centers for religious rituals, ceremonies, and astrological observations. I had the honor of traveling with anthropologists and sociologists who spent their careers researching these aspects and learned that ordained priests were involved in conducting religious ceremonies, where people offered sacrifices and prayers to communicate with their ancestors and where people offered sacrifices and prayers to communicate with their ancestors as well as gods. The temples and pyramids were constructed to align with the sun’s path during solstices and equinoxes and thus had religious and spiritual significance symbolizing the connection between space and the earth. The pyramids often housed temples devoted to specific deities. Each pyramid could have been associated with a male or female goddess, and rituals were conducted accordingly to honor and curry favor from these gods and goddesses.
The anthropologists stated that archeological evidence shows that rituals in the Maya culture are often carried out by specialist individuals who operate within tiered groups. These religious leaders could be understood as shamanic healers or sorcerers. Their role was to engage in rituals that created and maintained a sense of sacredness, particularly in caves and other significant locations within the landscape. This is evident by the material remains and unearthed artifacts. Caves played a significant role in beliefs and rituals associated with the sacred landscape and this is true for much of Mesoamerica.
Similar to other pagan cultures, the Maya society too had a strong bond with their ancestors, and offerings were often left at the pyramids to honor and appease the previous generations and receive blessings and guidance in return. The most important aspect of the construction of the pyramids is the alignment of the structures with celestial events. These primarily include the equinoxes, solstices, and other important astronomical phenomena. The pyramids themselves were a tool to track and keep up with the movements of the planets and the daily life of the Maya was very much integrated with being in connection with the larger cosmos. For example, scholarly writings show that the Maya were skilled at astronomy and every aspect of human life was connected with the larger existence; this included agricultural and religious practices.
Excavations at the Blue Creek Maya City site reveal deposited caches of jade, stingray spines, sponges, etc., in dome-shaped lids representing the Earth, Sky, Water, and Fire elements along with the cosmos. The Maya embedded the sacredness representing the cosmos in their living structures. This shows that the ancients had a deep connection to and understanding of the larger existence as the artifacts were found buried under the plaza floors as well as under house mounds. The arrangement of architecture at the sites seems to symbolically recreate the landscape of creation. Furthermore, the burial rituals observed in this context display uniqueness, as excavations have revealed skeletal remains positioned in distinct patterns. Ceremonies such as sacrifices and rituals seem to be aligned with specific astronomical happenings reminding one of the connection between the physical and the spiritual.
Shared archeological sites between Belize and Guatemala – Caracol-El Zotz, Tikal-Uaxactun, Nim Li Punit-Pusilha, Ceibal-LaMilpa, Xunantunich-El Pilar, Xultun-Xnoha. Any elaborate visa process is not necessary for those with an American passport and it should be noted that it is fairly easy to cross the borders in Central America though one will need to pay a border crossing fee – all of which is relatively affordable and easy to navigate with expert guides. Caracol is the largest Maya city site while Tikal houses ancient temples and pyramids. Ceibal is extremely well-preserved and one should plan a lengthy visit accordingly; the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management has taken a lead on conservation efforts and kept the area a true paradise. Xultun is worth exploring in depth, especially for those history buffs interested in ballcourt and insights into the Maya astronomy and sophisticated calendar which recorded significant events in history. Many of these sites demonstrate the deep understanding the Maya had of lunar and solar cycles, solar and lunar eclipses, solstices, equinoxes and other celestial events.
Both Guatemala and Belize boast rich biodiversity which includes marine life and coral reefs, protected rainforests and wildlife diversity. Belize’s Barrier Reef is the second largest coral reef system (the first is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia) in the world and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The wildlife includes jaguars, howler monkeys and these forests are a paradise for bird watchers as numerous species can be spotted throughout the region. Teh Volcanoes and lakes in Guatemala especially are known for unique fish species and the lowland rainforests contain a variety of indigenous flora and fauna. The largest protected area in Central America spanning 5 million acres is the Maya Biosphere Reserve and it encompasses diverse ecosystems including ancient archeological sites. Climate change is an impending challenge but ongoing conservation and sustainability efforts are clearly visible with ecotourism initiatives and bottom-up involvement to preserve the natural and ancient heritage for future generations. The passion and pride of the natives is truly commendable.
Belize other than its vast history is a paradise. Massive bungalows on the outskirts of Belize City show ex-pats and retirees living in custom-built leisure homes in certain parts of town. If you make it to one of the islands such as St. George’s Caye, Tobacco Caye, or Ambergris Caye, make sure to layer up and take a stroll where the natives hang out – a variety of local produce – fruits unknown to many of us and super friendly vendors are ready to guide and help. Make sure to take advantage of the fresh coconut juice vendors and for those who are scared to drink the water, Belikin is a popular brew that tourists use as a substitute. There is no pretense in the air and vegetarian food is fairly easy to find wherever one goes. The locals show genuine warmth which makes one want to visit again. One thing I learned is that the famous Florida orange juice has origins in Belize. The oranges are shipped to Florida, so any time you drink that OJ, do thank the Belize farmer for harvesting the delicious fruit.
References & Further Readings:
Awe, J. D., & Belmopan, B. (2015). Research Reports in Belizean Archaeology Volume 2.
Izzo, V. (2018). Revisiting the Postclassic Burials at Lamanai, Belize: A Second Look at the Unique Ventrally Placed, Legs Flexed Burials.
Prufer, K. M. (2002). Communities, caves, and ritual specialists: a study of sacred space in the Maya Mountains of southern Belize. Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
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