Belize

About 58% of inhabitants are Roman Catholic. Only 7% of the populace are Anglicans; another 6% are Pentecostals. Other faiths and denominations generally have fewer than 10,000 members each. These include Methodists (4.2%), Seventh-Day Adventists (4.1%), and Mennonites (4%). There are approximately 5,000 Hindus and Nazarene, and smaller numbers of Baha'i s, Baptists, Buddhists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Muslims, Rastafarian, and Salvation Army members. About 6% of the population claim to be nonbelievers or to have no religious affiliation.

There is no state religion, however, the preamble of the constitution recognizes the religious history of the country by asserting that nation "shall be founded upon principles which acknowledge the supremacy of God." Spirituality is a required topic in public schools as part of the social studies curriculum and all schools, both public and private, are required to provide 220 minutes per week of religious education or chapel services for students in kindergarten to sixth grade. However, students are not forced to participate in such instruction and the faith of the individual student, or their parents, is generally respected.

Dec. 31st-Jan. 1 New Years DayAnnual New Year's Eve Bash at the Lions Den, Holiday Hotel, Big Daddy's Discotheque, Purple Parrot Bar, Shark's Bar, and Jaguar Temple DiscothequeRight before Ash Wednesday Five Day Carnaval"Mardi Gras a la Island Style"- More below!Ash Wednesday

March 8 National Heroes and Benefactors Day (in lieu of Tuesday, 9th March), formerly Baron Bliss DayA public and bank holiday commemorating a great benefactor. Every year on March 9th Belize honours the memory and generosity of the late English Baron Henry Edward Ernest Victor Bliss. Baron Bliss came to Belize to enjoy sailing and fishing in the clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, and eventually died there. In gratitude for the legacy he left to the people of Belize each year an official ceremony is held at his tomb located below the lighthouse in the Belize harbour followed by fishing and sailing regattas throughout the country. This event is a must for those who enjoy the excitement of fishing and sailing.April 2 Good FridayApril 3 Holy SaturdayApril 4 Easter SundayApril 5 Easter MondayMay 1 Labor DayMay 11 Dia de las MadresMother's Day, celebration with a religious ceremony in the evening followed by a dinner at Central Park with cultural presentations, until midnightMay 24 Commonwealth DayCelebrated nationwide as the Queen's birthday. National Sports Council holds horse races in Belize City at the National Stadium and in Orange Walk Town at the People's Stadium. Cycle races are held between Cayo and Belmopan.June 27 San Pedro Day, a three day celebration in honour of San Pedro's namesake and Patron Saint. The celebration will take place on the 29th Feast Day of St. PeterJuly 3 Celebration of the anniversary of the treaty between Britain and Mexico recognizing Ambergris Caye as a part of BelizeAugust Costa Maya FestivalSan Pedro. A festival of music, dance, and foods from Belize, Mexico and neighboring countries.Sept. 10 St. Georges Caye Day, National DayA colourful parade throughout town with an all day fair at Central Park. Live local music on the beach. On September 10, 1798, at St. George's Caye Belize, the British buccaneers (Slaves, Baymen and British soldiers) fought with the Spaniards over the territory of Belize and won. This small caye, 9 miles North-East of Belize City, is steeped in history and was once the home of buccaneers and pirates. Between 1650 and 1784 it was the first capital of the British settlement. The island's greatest moment of glory came on 10th September 1798 at the Battle of St. George's Caye.

On this day the Baymen of Belize prepared to defend their tiny settlement against a Spanish invasion of 32 ships carrying 2,000 troops and 500 seamen. The Baymen's modest fleet consisted of one sloop - HMS Merlin - with approximately 117 sailors and troops on board, two sloops with 25 men each and seven gun flats with 16 men each. The decisive battle was going to take place in the waters around St. George's Caye.

At the sound of the first gunfire about 200 colonial troops and Baymen, who had been left to guard the mainland, could not be restrained from going to the aid of the Merlin. Fishing smacks, dories, pitpans and anything else that could float set off with whatever arms could be mustered.

Incredibly, on that memorable day - heavily outnumbered and against all the odds - the Baymen achieved a decisive victory. Black men and white men fought courageously side by side, miraculously without the loss of a single life! The Spanish were not quite so fortunate and many of the dead are buried on nearby Caye Chappel. This was the last attempt made by the Spanish to oust the British from Belize.

The tradition of celebrating this victory is still carried on today, and each year a week long calendars of events ranging from religious services to carnivals are held.

Around the country similar official ceremonies and parades take place. Carnivals, sporting activities, fire engine parade, and pop concerts held several days prior to this event.

The mood in the City and District Towns is upbeat as a throngs of Belizeans from home and abroad, as well as visitors flock the country to participate in the celebrations. On the morning of September 10th, Belizeans and friends of Belize parade through the streets and enjoy local dishes, spirits, and music. The upbeat feeling and festivities continue until September 21st, Independence Day in Belize.September 21 Belize Independence DayAll day Jump-Up with a formal uniform parade, music, games, food and much more! On September 21, 1981 Belize gained independence from Great Britain. Each year to celebrate the independence of our nation Belizeans from home and abroad enjoy carnivals on the main streets of downtown Belize City and the District Towns. Displays of local arts, crafts, and cultur~al activities can be seen, while Belizeans in their festive moods dance to the rhythms of punta rock, soca, and reggae. On occasions-like this, one can sample local dishes from every ethnic group in the country and experience the harmony of our many cultures.

Independence Day, which follows the Battle of St. George's Day, concludes two weeks of celebration.October Belikin SpectacularBillfish tournament with spectacular prizes. Sponsored by the Belize Game Fish Association.Oct. 12 Pan American Day(Columbus Day) Regatta racing in Belize City. In Orange Walk and Corozal there are fiestas and beauty contest to celebrate Mestizo culture. Horse and cycle races. Tourism Week: Activities include silent and Dutch auction, grand vacation raffle drawing and fair.Nov. 19 Garifuna Settlement DayThe Garifuna (pronounced Ga-RIF-una), or Black Caribs, are a unique cultural and ethnic group. They first appeared in this area over 300 years ago, when escaped and shipwrecked slaves mixed with the native Caribs who had given them refuge on Saint Vincent Island. The Garifuna adopted the Carib language but kept their African musical and religious traditions, against the demands of the island's colonial masters. In 1795 the Garifuna people rebelled against the British; the Crown punished them for their insolence by deporting them to the island of Roatán, off Honduras. In the years that followed, the Garifuna slowly established villages on islands and along the coasts of southern Belize, Guatemala, and northern Honduras.

In the entire country of Belize (mainly in the southern most areas of the country) November 19th is a yearly celebration to commemorate the arrival and the settlement of the first Garinagus (Black Caribs) to the southern districts of Belize in 1832. Belizeans from all over g ather in the southern districts of Dangriga and Toledo to celebrate with the garinagus.

The day begins with the re-enactment of the arrival of the Garinaau settlers and continues with dancing to the local Garinagu drums and punta rock. One can enjoy Garinagu dishes prepared mainly from vegetables grown underground and produce from the sea.

Click here for more!Nov. 27 San Pedro's Township DayNovember Stann Creek Agricultural FairExhibits of livestock and locally grown fruits and vegetables.Dec. 25 ChristmasDec. 28 Boxing DayParties, dances , horse races and some Garifuna dances are performed.