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The music of Belize has a mix of Creole, Mestizo, Garìfuna, Mayan and European influences.

European and African influences

After many centuries of Maya habitation, British colonizers arrived in the area in the 17th century. Belize was Britain's only colony in Spanish-dominated Central America until self-government in 1964 and gaining full Independence in 1981. Belize is still part of the Commonwealth of Nations. Far more influential than this presence, however, was the importation of African slaves.

Europeans brought polkas, waltzes, schottisches and quadrilles, while Africans brought numerous instruments and percussion-based musics, including marimba. African culture resulted in the creation of brukdown music in interior logging camps, played using banjo, guitar, drums, dingaling bell, accordion and an ass' jaw bone played by running a stick up and down the teeth. Contemporary Maya-Metstizo music exists in a hybrid form. An example of contemporary Maya music is the traditional flute and drum alongside traditional Spanish instruments like the marimba, violin, and guitar. The K’ekchi harp ensemble is one example of such cultural blending. The origin of the K’ekchi varies depending on the source: Maya communities believe that the K’ekchi harp music was created by the Maya Gods, while others attest that the ensemble is a hybrid creation brought on by the Spaniards as they converted the Maya to Christianity. The K’ekchi primarily plays during Easter and Christmas, which is evidence of Christian influence.

Maya Mestizo culture in north and west Belize, and also Guatemala, is characterised by marimba, a xylophone-like instrument descended from an African instrument. Marimba bands use drum sets, double bass and sometimes other instruments. Famous performers included Alma Belicena and the Los Angeles Marimba Band. Well known band of Maya Pax music was La Banda de San Jose. One of the popular contemporary marimba bands is the Benque Marimba Youth Academy. In the villages of northern Belize you will also find Maya Pax bands which mostly play for traditional Maya dances like the Hoghead dance like La banda de San Jose in Orange Walk district.

Cumbia music is mostly performed by bands in the northern region of the country where Mestizos and Maya (Yucatec Maya) are abundant.

Creole music

Creole music culture is largely focused around political issues surrounding the Creole people of both Belize and the Caribbean. Stylistically, Creole music is widely known in Belize for its call-and-response structure, which requires at least two voices. The call– usually just one person– sings the first line and alternates lines with the response– who can be one or many people– in a typical ABA or three-part rondo form. The melodies, often in common time, showcase diatonic movement, arpeggios and sequential figures.

Among the most popular styles created by Kriol musicians is brukdown. Brukdown evolved out of the music and dance of loggers, especially a form called buru. Buru was often satirical in nature, and eventually grew more urban, accompanied by a donkey's jawbone, drums and a banjo. The word brukdown may come from broken down calypso, referring to the similarities between brukdown and Trinidadian calypso music; the presence of large numbers of Jamaicans in Belize also led to an influence from mento music. These musicians have taken many aspects from traditional Garifuna music forms and fused them with more modern sounds in a style described as a mixture of punta rock and paranda. One great example is Andy Palacio's album Watina released on the Belizean record label "Stone Tree Records."

Modern music

Belize's musical base has expanded considerably in recent years with the addition of local Punta rockreggae, reggaeton, punta, soca, dancehall, hip hop, rock, and metal acts. The latter genre includes musicians like Shyne, Lova Boy, Hanal Pixan and Ascenthium.

However, despite growing local scenes, modern music from other Caribbean nations (primarily Jamaican dancehall and Trinidadian soca ), as well as commercial pop music from the United States and United Kingdom still remain the most popular genres of music among young Belizeans.

Belizean artists

Notable Belizean artists and performers include:

  • Andy Palacio
  • Lova Boy, Punta rock
  • Paul Nabor, Garifna
  • Pen Cayetano, Garifuna, creole
  • Wilfred Peters, Creole Brukdown

References

  • Belize Music Blog – Contains news, articles and updates about belizean music and artists
  • BBC Radio 3 Audio (60 minutes): Andy Palacio and the Garifuna. Accessed November 25, 2010.
  • BBC Radio 3 Audio (60 minutes): Son Jarocho and the Malinto choir. Accessed November 25, 2010. * www.myspace.com/lasherzombie :Lasher Zombie