From the cacao tree to a local chocolate factory, a bar of Maya chocolate carries stories of tradition and innovation. What should we know about the chocolate and the people who make it? We talked with Julio Saqui, founder and owner of Che’il Mayan Chocolate Factory, to see how chocolate becomes a medium to safeguard Maya culture and empower the local community.
Read MoreA long time ago the Maya culture gave different interpretations to eclipses. In fact, the solar eclipse was interpreted as the Sun God expressing his fury or demanding rituals.
Read MoreCommunity museums are a great place to visit if you want to learn more about local culture. Many of these small spaces are grassroots initiatives that allow the community to explore local histories and to provide educational opportunities for the younger generations. Making it easier to find these amazing places, here is a local's guide to community museums in Northern Belize.
Read MoreLearn more about the production and ceremonial significance of the Maya Blue color. Vibrant and resilient, the Maya blue pigment has been considered a source of wonder for scientists and historians alike since its initial discovery in 1931. The paint can retain its vibrant blue color across centuries- a feat that is uncommon for any color, especially those obtained from natural ingredients.
Read MoreMayaBags®️ handmade bags carry a profound story about Belizean Maya culture, its inherent creativity and the female Maya artisans who make the textiles that frame the bags. MayaBags is a successful social enterprise that works with Maya women from the Toledo District. This is their story!
Read MoreLearn about history and Archaeology at Nim Li Punit, Toledo! Tucked away in the richly diverse foothills of the Maya Mountains, Nim Li Punit is one of the smaller Maya sites open to visitors in southern Belize’s Toledo District. Despite its modest size, Nim Li Punit has been the subject of international attention in recent decades because of its remarkable collection of stelae. Spread across the site, these monumental stone sculptures were used to commemorate the lives of political leaders, historical battles and ceremonial activity during the site’s settlement in the Late Classic period (C.E. 600-900).
Read MoreLearn more about Indian Church Village history in Belize! Lamanai is ultimately famous for its long-standing importance in the region and the fact that there have always been people living on-site. Contemporary site history has a vital role in how we look at Lamanai and how we link it to our modern society's narratives.
Read MoreTop 3 things to do at the U Chan Muul Yaax K'aax Yucatec Maya Museum. The community museum in Belize's Orange Walk District is part of the Holpatín Trail experience by the Mundo Maya Organisation. The small community museum was founded a few years ago, involving families and collections from the village to promote traditional Maya culture.
Read MoreCandy’s Maya Giftshop & Culture Experience is located in Aguacate Village, Toledo District, Belize. It is run by Candelaria Kukul, a Ketchi Maya woman who speaks the language and proudly shares what it means to be Maya with other people through her business.
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