Indigenous Heritage Night Festival to Celebrate Belize’s Indigenous Peoples on October 12

In celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Resistance Day in Belize on October 12, the Northern Maya Association of Belize will be hosting the Indigenous Heritage Night Festival on Friday. The event will feature traditional music, dance and educational exhibitions. Love News spoke with Felicita Cantun, member of the association, about the heritage of the indigenous communities the event will highlight. 

Felicita Cantun, Member, Northern Maya Association: “I need everyone to remember that October 12th is a day of resistance and is not a day of discovery. I remember when I was going to school, the teachers used to give us history dates to study. And we had to study Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. But we know that he did not discover. So October 12th is not a day of discovery. It is a day of resistance for us, the Mayans. As Mayas, we stand firm to our commitment in preserving our culture, our heritage, for us right now and for the youths, for the future generation. We recognize that through safeguarding our indigenous heritage we fundamentally preserve our community and our planet, which we have only one. Like us, I ask everyone to embrace the pride in Indigenous identity as a powerful catalyst for meaningful change.”

A special highlight of the event will be the Pok-ta-Pok demonstration, offering a glimpse into the ancient Mesoamerican ballgame. 

Felicita Cantun, Member, Northern Maya Association: “Northern Maya Association is holding a festival to celebrate our Indigenous heritage. The association is partnering with NICH, with Banquita’s House of Culture, and with the Orange Walk Town Council to have this festival where we’re going to put together an exhibition on food, dances, crafts, medicinal plants, and of course the ancient Mayan ball game Pok Ta Pok. This is taking place on October 12th, no sorry 11th that’s on Friday October 11th 2024 and it begins at 4 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. at the Orange Walk Central Park. The event will showcase food like relleno, tamales, pipián, maja blanco, local sweets, local drinks. We will also have an open-air exhibition on Maya culture. And of course, the Pok-Ta Pok game, traditional folklore, dances, music, and traditional games.”

Attendees are invited to wear their traditional attire and celebrate the traditions of the indigenous communities.