The earliest record of Mayan presence in Toledo and Belize dates from around 2500 BC. At the height of the Mayan Empire (250-1000 AD) around 400,000 Mayans lived in Belize, many in the South. With the arrival of the Europeans, the Mayans were dispossessed of their lands and over time integrated into Belizean society. Almost 2/3 of the population of Toledo is still of Mayan heritage. Most of the Mayan communities can be found on the South Western side of the district.

The Community in Toledo

The Mayans of Toledo are mostly descendants of the Mopan and Kekchi Mayans, originally  from Guatemala. Most Toledo Maya live in spaciously laid-out villages; some close to sites of the earliest spectacular Maya settlements such as Lubaantun and Nim-Li -Punit.  Traditionally, the Maya life centers around agriculture so their daily activities are strongly  connected to their crops which they grow in clearings in the forests. A tradition which is peculiar to the Maya of the South is the appointment of an alcalde, or headman, in each village. His(!) main function is to ensure that the laws of the village are not broken, and he can try cases and impose fines.

Cultural Traditions

Most Maya speak English and/or Spanish but a distinct dialect called Itza or Mopanero is still spoken by some in the Toledo District. Another Maya language, spoken mostly in the South is Kekchi. The Maya of the Toledo District have various musical instruments which are all locally made. These include: the harp, guitar, marimba, violin, flute and kettle drum. All the dances they perform at the important feasts are by masked dancers, and include the Moor, the Deer, and the Devil dances. Corn is the most common food of the Maya, prepared in a variety of ways. Tortillas and tamales are eaten in all areas. A traditional midday meal, “Caldo”, is made of local chicken and broth with fresh tortillas. Cacao is dried, roasted, ground and used to prepare a hot or cold, sweet or unsweetened drink resembling a richly chocolate-flavored coffee.

Specialities

Cacao is King (Toledo chocolate is world renowned) in these parts and no visit to Toledo is complete without visiting one of the Maya cacao farms (Ixcacao or Eladio’s Chocolate Adventure) or the Cotton Tree Chocolate store in Punta Gorda. The Cacao Festival, always organized in the third weekend of May, attracts visitors from far and wide and features chocolate making lessons, Mayan food, cultural presentations and dancing lessons.

 Of course, there are major Maya archaeological sites (Lubaantun and Nim-Li Punit) to explore and many Maya Women’s Groups and cultural Maya experiences can be visited along the Southern Highway. An exceptional experience is the The Deer Dance Festival, held annually in the village of San Antonio at the end of August. The event features a ritualized dance emulating the hunting of a deer.

Businesses Related to Community

Indian Creek Mayan Arts Women’s Group

We are a six-women group family of Q’eqchiMayans who, seven years ago, decided that we wanted to share our culture, food, arts and craft and traditions with the visitors to the Nim Li Punit Archeological site located almost at our doorstep. We offer a very basic and simple traditional Maya…

Yona’s Mayan Grill

Blue Creek Village is a small Mayan village of Mopan and Kekchi heritage in the Mayan heartland. The community lies along flat roads, spanning both sides of Blue Creek. Clusters of thatch huts border both sides of Blue Creek, a beautiful, clear stream emerging from the surrounding thick jungle. In…

Eladio’s Chocolate Adventure

After his mother died (now almost 50 years ago) Eladio Pop, the pater familias, started farming at the age of 14 in San Pedro Columbia in order to provide for his siblings. He married Virginia Choco at the age of 18 and has 15 children, 8 boys and 7 girls….

Living Maya Experience

The Living Maya experience is a home visit that offers guests a fascinating glimpse into a fast disappearing world in which the local Maya depended upon the forest and found everything in it to satisfy their needs from food to furniture to medicine. Anita and Chris Cal, the owners, showcase…

Chiac’s Maya Craft Experience

The Chiac family invites you, literally, into their home to experience the old Maya culture in a fun and interactive way. It is a family cultural immersion, looking at typical and traditional Maya handcrafts and utensils that have remained unchanged over the years. You can learn to weave Maya baskets from…