The History of Mennonites in Belize
The Mennonites began in the 16th century as a radical sect of Protestant believers, who defied civic and religious authorities in Germany and the Netherlands. They were persecuted for their religious beliefs, which included opposition to the baptism of infants. Many Mennonite sects escaped to the New World, including the British colonies of North America. In the 1950s, several thousand Mennonites fled civil unrest and discrimination in Mexico and moved to the Rio Hondo region of Belize, a small nation in Central America.
Other People Are Reading
-
Acceptance in Belize
-
The government of Belize allowed the Mennonites to settle and freely practice their religious beliefs in the districts of Corozal, Orange Walk and Cayo, in remote northern and western Belize. The Mennonites are not required to serve in the military, attend public schools or pay taxes to support public health and welfare programs.
Settlement in Northern Belize
-
The Mennonites cultivated large tracts of land in Orange Walk and Cayo and established several thriving agricultural communities, including Spanish Lookout, Progresso and Barton Creek. The government of Belize allowed them to establish their own local governing councils, largely free of the public administration that ran the rest of the country.
-
Progressives and Conservatives
-
They divided into two groups: progressive and conservatives. The conservative Mennonites held to traditional methods of farming, avoided the use of mechanized agricultural machinery, and used horses and buggies for transportation. They forgo the use of electricity, television and modern appliances in their homes. They also kept traditional modes of dress, with long dresses for the women, coveralls and plaid shirts for the men and some form of hat or cap for everyone. Progressive Mennonites accept more of the trappings of the modern world, including the use of mechanized farming equipment, automobiles, radios and telephones.
Culture and Language
-
The Mennonites now make up about 4 percent of the Belizean population. They have built their own homes, banks, churches and schools, and largely live in harmony with the rest of the Belizean society. Most can speak some Spanish or English or both, while in some Mennonite communities, the old High German dialect, with its origins in medieval Germany, can still be heard.
Mennonite Goods
-
The Mennonite community makes up a vital part of the modern Belizean economy. Their farmers produce grains, vegetables, ground nuts, cattle, poultry and dairy products. They also craft traditional furniture and have contributed their skills as builders to the construction of the country's roads.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit NorthernBelize.com
