Regenerative Artisan Experiences WRITTEN BY: GISSELLE HERNANDEZ
Belize is not the hidden gem it once was, tucked away from the world. In the past few years, many have ventured beyond the pristine beaches to the jungles lying inland, which hold unbelievable adventures that are only just being discovered. But there’s one more colorful aspect that adds to the vibrancy that is the Caribbean country: its people. Geographically, Belize is at the center of the previous booming Maya Civilization. Despite Mexico and Guatemala usually being the ones associated with their history, Belize once was home to millions of Mayas, a fact evidenced by the many ancient temples scattered throughout the country. But that’s not the only culture deemed to be the backbone of the Central American nation. Today, Mestizos, Creoles, Chinese, Mennonites and many others consider Belize home. The mosaic that is the multitude of cultures only gets more intricate as you travel from north to south. The amazing aspect is you get to become familiar with many of them beyond the firsthand eyewitness. In Belize, you are able to completely immerse yourself in these unique societies. For a sample taste of the interconnectedness of these worlds, here are some artistic interactions to get you started.
Jippi Jappa Maya Basket Weaving By now we know how artistic and detailed the Maya people could be. They lived off their own farming methods, mostly on corn, beans, tomatoes and other vital foods. As a result, they would need to store all their goods in a secure and reliable container for future use. This is where the Jippi Jappa basket came in. The Mayas used the plant known as Jippi Jappa to weave their intricate baskets; they would cut open the palms, exposing their fibres and weave them for days. The experience is now being offered in Belize as a tour, where you can weave your own basket of any size, either for small jewelry or mementos or for bigger storage. By using our hands, we come to appreciate the complexities of the Maya's creations, a facet modern tools have not been able to replicate as perfectly. Intertwining these fibres to create something out of nothing is more than enough to learn the value of culture and tradition. PHOTO CREDIT: NAÏA RESORT AND SPA
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