THE SACRED GEOMETRY OF MOPAN MAYA EMBROIDERY

WRITTEN BY: TANYA MCNAB PHOTO CREDIT: FULL MEMORY PHOTOGRAPHY

Xokb’il Chuy, translating to counted stitches, is the name of a Mopan Maya embroidery that turns geometry into art. True to its name, patterns are sewn using a complex counting system transmitted from mother to daughter for hundreds of years. The designs depict motifs from Maya stories, such as the sun, moon, or snakes, or the flowers, plants and birds found in their environment. While first created on hand looms for millennia, the art evolved during the colonial period into the hand-stitched embroidery practiced today. But that’s not the only history that the Mopan Maya hold: archeology clearly establishes the Mopan Maya as the first people of Belize. Not to mention, Belize’s very own name is likely from the Maya word belikin, which means “road to the sun.” Despite constant pressures to assimilate, the Xokb’il Chuy has endured a hand-sewn record of survival. Against the odds, Maya women have kept their language and culture alive, one stitch at a time. While the Mopan Maya language is anticipated to go extinct in a matter of decades, the counted stitches practice is a living gift bestowed by one generation to the next, in an effort to ensure their continued survival.

This year, the Maya community organization Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) initiated a program with support from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) under its Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF) to preserve this cultural wealth. Here, Maya women are being positioned as national artists innovating new designs and bringing their creative products to a wider market, starting with modern fashion designs adorned with Xokb’il Chuy.

Under this initiative, the brand Xe’il Belize was born. Xe’il, which means ‘true to our roots’, is a meaningful brand designed and developed to provide a source of economic empowerment to Maya women while showcasing the dawn of a fashion era emerging from Southern Belize. Local Belize designer Ronelli Requena designed the premiere collection of garments under the breakthrough collection, titled Yahtz’il, pronounced ya-sil, meaning ‘beloved’ through numerous consultations with the Maya women of the San Antonio Village in the Toledo District. In collaboration with the Ixk'äntz'iit women's cooperative from San Antonio Village in Toledo, Ronelli trained women within the village to sew these clothing as ready-to-wear items created with the conscious consumer in mind. The premiere collection includes 4 items for women and 1 for men, available in 3 different sizes. Xe’il is but another example of empowered Maya women reclaiming their future by active participation. Not only does the fashion brand provide direct benefits to these indigenous communities of Toledo, but it intertwines their generational wealth of priceless practices with modernday slow fashion. Encompassing a new approach to fashion, each Xe’il garment is timeless, while being sourced, produced, and sold locally— valuing each individual along the way.

If you’re interested in supporting this initiative, find more information at www.facebook.com/xe.ilbelize

Chasing Spirits in Belize

WRITTEN BY: CAROLEE CHANONA

With a history that traces back to 17th-century trade running, rum production is a stronghold in the region as one of the first industries that took root. And when you visit the Caribbean, separating a good, strong (practically omnipresent) rum punch from your travels is almost impossible. Some people come to the Caribbean chasing freedom. Some come looking for a challenge to give meaning to their lives. Some come for rum. For those 18 years and older (Belize's legal drinking age) seeking a spirits-driven stay in Belize, we’ve got two destinations to keep on your list.

If you're a non-drinker, have no fear. Whether you’re chasing spirits or wayward wilderness, there’s a space for you here in Belize with plenty of natural and historical experiences to entertain yourself with.

PHOTOS CREDIT: MUY'ONO RESORTS

A SINGLE ESTATE SPIRIT IN THE RAINFOREST

COPAL TREE LODGE, PUNTA GORDA

Picture this: miles of viridescent mounds within the Maya Mountain range fan out ahead of you. A choir of howler monkeys echo in the distance, only to be interrupted by the low hum down the hill from Copal Tree Lodge, thanks to the Copal Tree Distillery—hugged by over 22,000 acres of preserved rainforest. The majority of rum in the Caribbean—as much as 95 percent—is produced from molasses, but rum can also be made from pressed sugarcane juice as they do with Copalli Rum.

Within a mere 2 hours of harvest, the cane is shredded and pressed to make a small-batch Rhum Agricole, for a lighter, grassier, and more vegetal rum. From freshly harvested sugar cane fields inside its 3,000-acre organic farm, the zero-impact facility uses only its heirloom sugarcane (that's a non-hybridized native variety), pure rainwater, and yeast. Enjoy barrel-rested, white rum, and cacao-infused Copalli rum during the tour, or in one of Copal Tree Lodge’s crafted cocktails at the Rum Bar.

ONE RUMMAKER’S LEGACY AT BELIZE’S OLDEST DISTILLERY

TRAVELLER’S HERITAGE CENTRE, BELIZE CITY

Rum is the spirit of choice in Belize, and Don Omar—the affectionately nicknamed patriarch of Traveller’s Liquors—seems to have been let on early to that fact. As the country’s oldest distillery, Travellers Liquors in Belize City has been producing the rich, dark, fruity Travellers One Barrel rum since the 1950s. With those in transit in and out of the old capital being his majority clientele in 1953, Traveller’s was the obvious name for his then-bar serving up homemade tipples. Fast forward nearly seven decades later, the Perdomos have carried their father’s signature recipe past Belize to international markets with whiskey that is barrel-rested—exported from the likes of Jack Daniel’s—and tropically-aged for years at a time. Take a tour of the distillery to see rum-making paraphernalia, the bottling factory, and to taste the entire Traveller’s line. If you don’t like it neat, a glass of ubiquitous Caribbean rum punch should slip down a treat. Featuring an inside look at the bottling process, product sampling, Belizean cocktail making tips, and opportunities to sample the flavors, you can share the secrets and live the traditions of the Perdomo family.

PHOTO CREDIT: NAIA RESORT & SPA

so Real, it’s unreal 83

MONTH to MONTH A YEAR TO travel

WRITTEN BY: CAROLEE CHANONA

The year ahead will be huge and full of hope: for wellness, for travel, and for simply renewal. Regardless of when you visit Belize, here’s a calendar curated to an adventure for every month of the year. Before your visit to Belize, be sure to check our website for an updated schedule of events throughout the year!

2

FEBRUARY

Some things are just synonymous with romance. As the New Year unfolds, the most colourful (and noisy) feeding frenzy goes on full display as monogamous Scarlet Macaws gather in the South. Coincidentally, these life-long lovebirds are most plentiful around Valentine’s Day. Witness these locally endangered feathered kaleidoscopes flying freely in the wild by visiting Red

Bank Village on a birding tour.

We love grilled lobster for its sweet, smoky meat against the caramelized shell. Indulge with fresh Spiny Lobster before the season closes in February on Ambergris Caye, right around Carnaval. Micro in scale compared to Brazil or Mardi Gras, the old Mestizo tradition of El Gran Carnaval is the number one event on Ambergris Caye in February. Body-paint, flour-fights, and homemade costumes awaken the cobblestone streets of San Pedro with a colorful jamboree to usher in the solemn Lenten season.

And lastly, what better way to revel in the month of love than showing some for multi-talented artisans at Belize's Street Art Festival? From vibrant paintings and handcrafted jewelry to detailed wood carvings and perfectlytailored clothing, the block party-style festival pulses with local talent in Placencia and Belize City. Be close to it all with the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza.

PHOTO CREDIT: JOSHUA DANIEL NUNEZ

1

JANUARY

It's page one, and now's your time to set the pace for the year ahead. When we do travel again, there's two approaches: all out ambitious escapes and mindful simplicity.

If you're feeling ambitious, opt for the ultimate in privacy: a total resort buy-out of a private island resort, like Ray Caye. If you're craving life's simple pleasures (like fishing on the Caribbean Sea) instead, opt for fuss-free accommodations instead, like Blue Marlin Beach Resort. Breathtaking with a rustic Belizean feel, you’ve still got all the necessities (and a treat: airconditioning).

3

MARCH

On the islands, it's rum

and sun for Spring Break:

dashing adventure beckons by day, and entertainment is irresistible at night.

On Ambergris Caye, live

music at Palapa Bar pair perfectly with floating inner tubes while Caye Caulker is day-tripper's paradise, with The Split being the place to be for youngsters and young-at-heart alike. And inland, one of the world's largest river traditions takes to the riverbanks of Belize— from San Ignacio to Belize City—for a buzzing 4-day canoe race, brimming with hair-raising competitiveness.

Held annually near National Heroes & Benefactors Day, onlookers cheer for its entirety: 175 miles. Stay for the starting action with the only jungle in town at San Ignacio Resort Hotel.

APRIL

4

APRIL

Rising abruptly from the lowlands, the jagged Cockscomb Mountains are an impressive mass of rock visible from the coast. Within the range, Victoria Peak Natural Monument boasts the title of the highest—and with a height of 1,120 meters, that also makes it the second-highest elevation in Belize.

During Belize’s dry season, hikers have a unique chance to conquer the 27-kilometer Victoria Peak Trail; add accomplishment and adventure to your April and take the 3-day expedition in Southern Belize. Plus, it’s perfect weather to summit: not too hot during the daylight trek, and not too cold for a restful sleep in your Hennessy Hammock. Plan in advance by contacting its co-manager, the Belize Audubon Society.

6

JUNE

Culminating culture and cuisine, Belize's food festivals are all the buzz for June. The

Lobster Festival in San Pedro, Placencia and Caye

Caulker coincides with the opening of Belize's Spiny Lobster season — likely the country's most popular festival yet; huge block parties and live music combine for a bonafide seafood bacchanal. Meanwhile, mangos reach peak ripeness across the country and Hopkins Village becomes animated with this wholesome celebration of ‘mangu’ — the Garinagu word for mango with the Mango Festival. Stay nearby at The Lodge at Jaguar Reef — the perfect harbour for foodies and beach-bound romantics.

PHOTO CREDIT: KEVIN QUISCHAN

5

MAY

In Belize, Whale Shark diving is the prelude to a summer of feasting, frolicking and feeding by the world's largest fish. Between March and June, visitors of the Gladden Spit Marine Reserve have a unique chance to swim with these gentle giants. Plan ahead with Gold Standard tour operator Splash Dive Center and tick swimming with Whale Sharks off your bucket list! Later, venture into the Deep South; the chocolate stronghold comes alive to salute all things cacao with Belize's Chocolate Festival. Held annually near Sovereign Day, three whole days are dedicated to the Maya food of the gods with innovative and traditional cuisine in Toledo, alongside the enriching Maya culture. Stay just outside Punta Gorda at Copal

Tree Lodge, a Muy'Ono Resort.

7

JULY

Why visit Belize in July? Money, honey. Thanks to “low season,” there’s no queues and all those Instagramworthy destinations won’t need to photoshop out the unbeknownst photo-bomber. You're also smack in the middle of Summer, which means it can get balmy quick. The jungle canopy can provide cooling relief, and you can escape to a jungle lodge in Belize's Western interior.

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve gets the coolest in the country, and you can choose from the likes of Blancaneaux Lodge, Gaia Riverlodge, or Kane Villas—a stay for every budget.

8AUGUST Serendipitous isolation: time it right and you could have the beach all to yourself. Drifting into shoulder season, privacy is the name of the game with just a few passing boats in the distance. Find a hotel on the

Southeastern Coast, like Itz'ana Belize.

Bold and bright, San Pedro’s streets fill with a cultural display of The Mundo Maya at the island's most anticipated event: The Costa Maya Festival. Participants from all over Central America celebrate their shared heritage with music, parades, drinking, and dancing before crowning a festival queen as Miss Costa Maya.

9From the flag raising ceremony to The Carnival Road March and Miss SEPTEMBER Queen of the Bay, September is a celebration in Belize for what the Baymen— and the latter political heroes fought for centuries ago: Freedom. Held in both Belize City early September and Orange Walk Town on Independence Day itself, non-stop energy in colorful costumes take to the streets to dance in sync with Caribbean beats for Belize's Carnival Road March. The reds, the yellows, the greens—Caribbean life is a swirl of color. Move with the steel pans and drums as the streets reverberate with rhythm.

10 OCTOBER

There isn't a Conch Festival, but locals and tourists alike herald in its open season. For those of you wondering, Queen Conch is a tropical marine mollusk, and it is delicious.

As one of the most significant fisheries in Belize, conch is a staple across the country— absolutely irresistible in dishes like ceviche, fritters, curry, and soups. Most people describe conch as an uber-fresh parallel to calamari, with a slightly sweet and chewy texture. Try it in fritters, ceviche, or soup with the locally-loved Lily's Treasure Chest, a beachfront restaurant in San Pedro Town.

PHOTO CREDIT: THE BELIZE COLLECTION

11

NOVEMBER

On November 19th, you can join the historically significant national holiday commemorating the arrival of the Garifuna to Belize in 1802.

From the infectious Punta beats the night before and re-enactments of the first landing at sunrise, honor the inspirational cultural survival of the Garifuna in Dangriga, and soak in Southern Belize.

Stay nearby in Hopkins at Hamanasi Resort or The Lodge at Jaguar Reef.

DECEMBER

12 In December, settle into Belize's reefs and peaks with the slowest pace as the year draws to a close. Embrace the holidays (with an upbeat local resort), or escape it (and go to a far-flung island). After all, December is full of dry, bright, sundappled days crisp with temperatures that dip into the 60s. On the reefs, take it easy with a private vacation rental, like

Casa Al Mar on St. George's Caye.

Our Photographers

Behind the lens, photographers interpret reality differently. The camera’s manipulability can extend the human eye, but it takes the vision to bring it to life. We take this opportunity to thank each and every visual contributor to the Belize Gold Book: we could not have done this magazine without you.

PHOTO CREDIT: DUARTE DELLAROLE

THANK YOU!