1. Maya

2. History in Belize
Earliest known record of inhabitation around 2500 B.C.
Peak of civilization
A.D. 250 to A.D. 1000
At least 400,000 inhabited Belize
Defeated by the British in 1867 and 1872
Integrated into Belizean society
Cuello in Northern Belize
Decline  soil exhaustion, disease, or the peasants revolting and massacring the priests

3. Overview Account for 11% of the population
Two Mayan languages and multiple dialects spoken
Northern Maya (Yucateco)
Kekchi
Two distinct groups
Mopan
Many speak English and Spanish

4. Kekchi Maya Originally from the Verapaz region of Guatemala
Migrated in late 1800s
Most self reliant ethnic group in Belize
Belize’s poorest and most neglected ethnic group
1800slost land and freedom to German coffee growers

5. Mopan Maya Originally from Central Belize and Guatemala
Converted to Catholicism in 1600’s
Migrated back to Belize late 1800’s
Eventually settled in modern day San Antonio (largest Mopan settlement in Belize)

6. Religion Practice Catholicism
Continue rituals and traditions as the old Maya
Gods replaced with santos
260 ritual calendar kept by shaman
Ancient ways take place in caves and places of the sort
Santos=Saints
Rituals included  sacrificing and drinking certain type of alcoholic drink

7. Economics
Depended mostly on trading with neighboring Maya communities in the past
Subsistence crops and cash crops
Industrial development negative notion
Support themselves also through hunting and the production of arts and crafts
Latter part of 1800s, trading changed course  people of other ethnic groups began arriving into Maya communities to purchase domestic animals and other commodities
1950s  introduction of mechanized farming, couldn’t afford/finance type of work, so they continue traditional way of living

8. Government
Modern Maya of Southern Belize in a long-standing conflict with Belizean government
Battle with government about land rights of the Maya
Government argued that since Maya left Belize for a short time when they were driven out by the British, they did not have rights to the land and were “new immigrants” to the country.
Government ended up appealing the 2010 decision
Maya are seen as the underclass in Belize

9. Family Punishments are rare with children
Family extremely important
Women take care of children and housework
Women marry and have children as early as 14 years old
Children observe and work with people of all ages
Punishments are rare with children
Maya families raise their own food (gardens, animals)

10. Education
Modern Maya believe that education is important for them to participate in modern society and to also preserve traditions.
Little information on education (Why?)

11. Sources http://www.southernbelize.com/hist_mayan.html