Belizean Music plays an integral part in Belize and Latin American cultures alike, from ceremonies and celebrations to daily life. Musicians serve as ambassadors of their respective cultures by sharing their stories through song.
Brukdown music of Belize evolved from dances from logging days and the traditional form known as buru. The name itself refers to “broken down calypso”, reflecting similarities with Trinidad Calypso music.
Unveiling Belizean Music: Vibrant Melodies
Music is an integral component of Belizean culture, pervading society from villages outside the capital to clubs and bars throughout its nightlife scene. Due to Belize’s diverse mix of cultures, there is an incredible variety of musical influences and styles.
Belize’s diverse cultural contributions from Maya, Mestizo and African communities all add their distinctive stamp to its musical expressions. Following centuries of Maya dominance, Europeans brought in polkas and waltzes while Africans introduced rhythm-based instruments like marimbas into its soundscape, making their music truly vibrant.
Garifuna drummers are one of the most notable Belizean musical groups. Their drumming has its origins in Africa and their sound evokes West African music. Their drums are constructed out of hollowed-out hardwood and covered with skin from peccaries or deer for extra percussion; an accordion or dingaling bell may accompany their performance as part of an accompaniment ensemble – modern forms often include bass guitar and congas as well.
Brukdown music emerged from Garifuna peoples’ logging camps in the interior. It derives its name from Creole terms for “breakdown”, as its similarity to the Trinidadian calypso was immediately evident. Brukdown’s characteristic grooves can make one want to get up and dance!
Carnival, one of the Caribbean’s largest celebrations of national identity and patriotism, brings Belizean musical traditions together beautifully. Streets become filled with carnival troops and parades, dance contests, satirical mockery of colonial masters, and music performances galore – with its highlight being an expansive street parade featuring steel drums, elaborate costumes and dancing!
Belizean musicians reflect the country’s rich cultural history. Reggae, punta, salsa and dancehall music is represented by artists like Lova Boy, Shyne, Amin Bensalem and Super (or Supa) G; other influences from Spanish and Mexican cultures can be heard through Cumbia (reminiscent of salsa and merengue). Furthermore, other Belizean-based musicians specialize in Pacific coast-influenced genres.
From Garifuna to Punta Rock: Belize Diverse Sounds
Belizean music embodies a diverse blend of Central American, African and European influences – creating a lively energy with friendly rhythms reminiscent of Belize’s culture.
Belize music plays a central role in its cultural life and can be heard playing from bars, restaurants and people’s homes all across this stunning Caribbean nation. You will encounter everything from reggae and dancehall to salsa and jazz during your vacation in this incredible Caribbean nation; traditional Garifuna songs as well as punta rock genres or the more traditional style of Kriol music will surely please.
One of the most renowned musical genres in Belize is punta rock, created by Garifuna musicians to highlight their culture. This rhythmic beat-driven music features drums, banjo and the jawbone from a donkey; making for a popular dance music similar to reggae that has even spread into neighboring countries.
Punta rock blends traditional Garifuna rhythms with modern lyrics and drumming patterns reminiscent of reggae music. Belize-based artist Lensford Martinez, better known by his stage name Super G, is widely respected for his punta compositions like Muevelo and Party Insane which have gained global acclaim.
Ska and reggae music has its origins in Jamaica’s Rastafarian culture and has since become an integral part of Belizean society as well. Bob Marley left an indelible mark upon this genre that continues to resonate today.
There are various bands and artists in our local area who perform various musical genres such as ska, reggae, calypso, zouk, soca and salsa. Many band members hail from diverse ethnic groups while taking inspiration from other genres to form their own distinctive sound.
Young musicians across the country are quickly adapting, with more students and artists emerging to make waves in music. Leading youth artists recently visited Middle Tennessee State University via Zoom for a class discussion on intellectual property law.
Belizean Rhythms: Caribbean Musical Fusion
Belize’s music has been greatly shaped by a wide array of cultures, particularly European, Caribbean and African. After long periods of Maya dominance by Spanish and British colonizers, new musical influences were brought in through Spanish and British colonization: indigenous Mayans continued with their traditional rhythms of drum-based drumming while Europeans introduced polkas, waltzes, quadrilles and quadrilles while Africans introduced koras, drums and various instruments into Belizean life resulting in an array of styles which has produced an eclectic repertoire rich enough to meet everyone’s musical taste!
Belizean music often uses a call-and-response pattern between drums. This technique is especially common in Garifuna music, which evolved out of dance performed by loggers during the 1800s. Garifuna musicians like Andy Palacio and Paul Nabor have brought this genre of music onto the world stage; and the Punta Rock genre offers reggae-infused danceable melodies.
Belizean music draws upon Caribbean and Latin American musical influences. Brukdown, for instance, was initially created to accompany logging camp workers working in the interior of Belize; its name reflects its rhythmic beat similar to Trinidadian calypso; this form of music features banjo, guitar and accordion as well as dingaling bell and an “ass’s jawbone,” played with a stick up and down an individual’s teeth. Punta is now widely popular in Belize; this contemporary form includes Garifuna rhythms but also incorporates elements from reggae, reggae and mento music styles – popular forms include Garifuna rhythms while also including elements from reggae and mento music genres.
Marimba music is another form of fusion music popular in Belize, mixing traditional rhythms with contemporary lyrics to create an infectious sound favored by young people. Part of Marimba’s appeal lies in its versatility; its adaptability can easily accommodate various events like weddings and parties where dancing is an integral component.
Music is an integral part of Belizean culture and everyday life, from radio stations to individual home performances – often family members hold karaoke nights at home!
Belizean Music: Cultural Influences & Fusion
Belize’s diverse mix of Mayan, Spanish, Mestizo, Garifuna and African cultures has resulted in diverse musical traditions that are evident through music and dance performances throughout the country. Garifuna music stands out as it blends traditional rhythms with African influences into something known as punta music that can be heard throughout Hopkins, Dangriga and other Garifuna communities in Belize.
Garifuna music exhibits strong Caribbean influences. Slaves brought West African rhythms and melodies with them, which blended with Creole music and Western instruments into a Belizean musical tradition known as brukdown. Today this popular recreational rural tune can still be heard accompanied by banjo, accordion, drums or dingaling (rattling an anvil against teeth).
Belizeans have enthusiastically adopted reggae, dancehall and soca music from Jamaica and elsewhere in the Caribbean region as well as popular American styles such as hip-hop, jazz and mariachi music. Musicians of different ethnic groups are encouraged to perform together; bands like Santino’s Messengers, Youth Connection, Gilharry Seven and Brudda David Obi showcase these fusions.
Punta Rock, a contemporary form of punta music, has gained considerable traction in Belize over time. This genre characterized by guitars and percussion instruments was pioneered in the 1970s by Penn Cayetano a Garifuna artist; his creation often features lyrics sung in Garifuna language.
Ska is an international musical movement which emerged in Jamaica during the late 1950s. Since then, it has gained immense worldwide acclaim and can now be heard in countries like Belize, Venezuela, and Panama. Influences from Caribbean music can be heard as can African influence.
Other popular genres of music in Belize include cumbia, which combines the funky beats of Merengue with salsa music. Cumbia can often be found at various carnival events during September when steel drums fill the streets with color and dancing; providing an exciting opportunity to experience another side of Belize.
