Today was our first full day in Belize, after crossing the border from Guatemala, yesterday.
Despite only having been here for a day, I already noticed some major differences, most notably in language – English, instead of Spanish (though, multiple languages are spoken in both countries) – but also in the lack of living Maya traditions, as opposed to the Guatemalan highlands. The modern-day countries of Guatemala and Belize are, of course, a relatively recent evolution of what, traditionally, all used to be Maya territory. The reason for their differences today can be explained by their colonial history, Guatemala being a former colony of Spain, Belize (then called British Honduras) one of the British Empire. Their shared cultural history, however, can still be observed when visiting ancient Maya sites in Belize, such as Xunantunich, a site quite distinct from other sites like Tikal and Iximché, and yet, similar in many ways. I look forward to spending the last week of our program further comparing and contrasting the ancient and colonial histories of the two countries.
– A. S.
View from the top of“El Castillo”, at Xunantunich:
Very historically accurate recreation of “pok-ta-pok”, the Maya ballgame, at Xunantunich:
Photo credit: Dr. Astrid Runggaldier