MUSIC AND DANCE OF BELIZEBy: Erika Lawrence

BELIZEAN MUSIC Features cultural blend of Creole, Mestizo, Garifuna, and

Mayan influences. Each culture brings unique instruments indicative of the

musical origin. Mestizo, heard in northern and western Belize,

incorporate melodies of Marimba, Tap, Drums and double Bass

Creole is found in more rural settings and makes use of drums, banjo, and donkey’s jaw bone. Similar to traditional Calypso music, Creole developed into a

form called Burkdown. Garifuna folk style combining music and dance.

Now recognized for Punta and Punta Rock, its pop dance form. In general, expect to hear local reggae, hip hop, and

jazz.

PUNTA

Drums and African chants and is danced as a group

Dancing keeping arms and elbows close to upper body flexed while shaking and turning around.

Normally performed at major festivals or special occasions. Junkaboo is a satire dance where the dancers dress

like slave masters. Developed during slavery.

Andy Placio is one of Belize’s most popular musicians, cultural hero, an activist for Garifuna culture and music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ01Kcx8k6c&list

=PL44D488627DCA70A2 Watina by Andy Placio

PUNTA ROCK

More modern version of Punta Most popular of all music genres in Belize Moves are more provocative; hip gyrations

more pronounced Done with a partner Super G is one of the most well known artists

of this genre Super G-Muevelo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFx2GRp9ZlI Wale Wine

http://www.myspace.com/music/player?song=21855223&ac=now&url=http%3A//matadornetwork.com/nights/the-music-of-belize/

BURKDOWN

Belize Creole type of music Originated in the days of enslaved African

loggers Done at night as a way to relax and enjoy

themselves Done in Creole languages and is considered

rural music at its finest Calypso rhythm consists of African chants Drums, accordion, banjo, and guitar Well known artists are Wilfred Peters, Leeva

Vernon, and Gerald Rhaburn Wilfred Peters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5prAwRdjiZc#action=share

PARANDA

Soulful sound backed by guitars and drums. Storytelling type of music. Paul Nabor is considered the world’s greatest

and oldest Garifuna musician and Belize’s greatest Paranda artist. Responsible for Paranda being spread around the

world. http://www.myspace.com/music/player?song=21

855223&ac=now&url=http%3A//matadornetwork.com/nights/the-music-of-belize/

MAYAN MARIMBA AND HARP MUSIC

Played with a marimba or harp. Marimba played by a group of men for

ceremonies and special occasions. Wooded xylophone originating from West Africa. Many make their own instruments from

hardwood. The well known artist of this genre is Mayan

Florence Mes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=R7F9qftl1N8#action=share

The group San Antonio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5nU8jsZ7qs

DANCE VIDEOS

If time permits, I can look up the dance videos.

Because they are kind of provocative, I didn’t know if they would be appropriate for the classroom setting.