Belize’s Maya and Indigenous Groups: Protecting the Environment
Belize’s Maya and Indigenous Groups work together to stop US Capital Energy from conducting oil exploration and drilling in Belize’s otherwise pristine Sarstoon Temash National Park.
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Hero is Celebrated in Belize: Marcus Canul – An Icaiche Maya!
After Canul’s group defeated a British detachment, killing five and wounding 16 other soldiers, things began heating up, with the British determined to subjugate the Maya or drive them out all together by further burning houses and crops. However, Canul and his men fought on, eventually taking Corozal Town on 1870. In 1872 they attacked the British barracks at Orange Walk on the New River and Canul was mortally wounded. The Maya retreated, and, with their charismatic leader gone, this was the last major attack on British forces.
The Magic of Xunantunich Maya City in western Belize
Mayan for “Stone maiden” Xunantunich is definitely one of Belize’s prettiest Maya archaeological sites, renowned for exquisite architecture, beautiful frescos and stelae, as well as its park-like atmosphere and stunning views from the top of El Castillo, the iconic pyramid temple. Xunantunich was an important ceremonial centre built around AD 600 near the end of the Maya Late Classic Period, boasting a population of some 10,000 people at its peak, and apparently continued to thrive while other Maya centres such as Tikal and Caracol were in decline. However by around 1000 AD Xunantunich was abandoned.
Huge Maya City found near Belize and Mexico border line: Noh Kah
Huge Maya City found near Belize and Mexico border line: Noh Kah According to Mexican Newspapers the Archaeologists from the National Institue of Anthropology and … Read more
Eco Kids learn about The Ancient Maya
Once we arrived back at Chaa Creek, Mr. Awe gave a presentation on the history and culture of the Maya, from their origins as hunter-gatherers crossing the Bering Straits, to the decline of their civilization thousands of years ago. And just to make sure the campers were paying attention, he split boys and girls into two teams and gave a pop quiz at the end. It was a close call, but the girls scored higher by one point!
Chaa Creek Condemns Recent Belize Mayan Ruin Destruction of Nohmul
Belize Nohmul Mayan Ruin destruction is condemned by popular Belize Eco Lodge Chaa Creek “This is an obscene act that needs to be condemned in … Read more
Photo of the day: Majestic Maya Temple in Tikal
Tikal is one of the largest ancient Maya cities in Mesoamerica and is located in Guatemala about 50 miles northwest of its border with Belize. According to Archaeologists, the Maya began building Tikal around 600 BC and at its peak some 1500 years ago, Tikal was a wealthy metropolis and home to 100,000 Maya as well as a crucial center for religion, science and politics.
Ancient Maya Wisdom Key to Modern Health
Rather than misinterpreting Maya beliefs to falsely predict the end of the world, researching and practicing ancient Maya medicine and natural healing techniques can open a new world of health today, noted author and Maya medicinal plant expert Dr. Rosita Arvigo advised participants at Chaa Creek’s 2012 Maya Winter Solstice celebrations.
World Keeps Turning, Maya Keep Celebrating at Chaa Creek
“Surprise, surprise; we’re still here,” Mr Waight said as a large group of guests, staff members and their families, Chaa Creek’s owners and local villagers prepared for the procession to the ancient Maya temple of Tunichilen and an exuberant celebration to, as Mr Waight said, “Mark the end of one long cosmic cycle and the beginning of another.”
Maya Sustainable Farming Highlighted in 2012 Celebrations
Mr Fleming, who with his wife Lucy began Chaa Creek as a small farm in the late 1970s and still manages the eco resort’s Maya Organic Farm, which uses traditional Maya agricultural techniques to supply vegetables to the Chaa Creek restaurant and local families, said people are often amazed to learn how productive the ancient Maya were as farmers.
Belize’s Chaa Creek Announces Maya 2012 Speakers
Chaa Creek is Belize’s first true eco resort, having made the transition from small family farm to opening their first guest accommodation in 1981, just as Belize was achieving independence. Since then Chaa Creek has grown into a 365 acre private rainforest nature reserve with a natural History Centre, Maya Medicinal Plant Trail and Organic farm, a butterfly breeding farm, hilltop spa, conference centre, pool, a highly regarded restaurant and other amenities.
Chaa Creek Announces Maya Solstice Contest
Belize’s The Lodge at Chaa Creek has just announced an exciting competition whose winners will usher in the Maya 2012 Winter Solstice by taking part in an extraordinary weeklong celebration to be held in the Heartland of the ancient Maya Empire.
Chaa Creek’s Maya Village Opens up a Fascinating World
“The 2012 Winter Solstice on December 21 is so important to Maya everywhere that we want to make sure it’s celebrated with the respect and energy it deserves. And his means that participants learn about the Maya culture generally, as well as the significance of the 2012 Winter Solstice. We want our guests, especially those taking advantage of the all-inclusive Belize Maya Winter Solstice Vacation packages, to get as much out of the experience as possible,” Mr Awe said.
Ancient Maya Gave Thanks for Turkey Dinners Too
The Maya began as hunter gatherers in Mesoamerica, but from 1800 BC the culture began expanding rapidly and developed sophisticated agricultural, aquaculture and animal husbandry techniques to feed populations as large as Caracol’s peak of some 180,000 thousand people. While meat was not central to their diet, they hunted rainforest wildlife and domesticated animals. Turkey, known as ulum, was a favourite domesticated and wild food. Turkey was, and remains a Maya favourite in soups and other dishes, and Chef Mario said it will…
The Maya 2012 Long Count-down Begins in Belize
For several years world attention has been drawn to the 2012 Winter Solstice after a number of articles, internet posts and films, such as the Hollywood blockbuster 2012 highlighted the fact that the 13th Bak’tun of the Maya Long Count calendar completes its cycle on December 21 2012. The highly accurate ancient calendar, which gives the Maya a creation date of 11 August 3114 BC, has been a source of fascination for many scholars and, unfortunately, Ms Fleming said, for conspiracy and apocalypse buffs.
Maya 2012 Winter Solstice Celebrations Carved in Stone
What we know about the ancient Maya comes primarily from early stone monuments known as stelae; large tombstone-like slabs of mostly limestone on which important dates and events were recorded using Maya glyphs; the written or carved characters considered to be one of humankind’s earliest forms of writing.
Last Belize Maya Winter Solstice Packages Released
Chaa Creek’s marketing administrator Larry Waight announced the release today while answering questions about the progress of a special 2012 stela Chaa Creek has commissioned for the event. Stelae are Maya stone monuments that often used to record important dates, events, and successions of rulers. The new stela will feature in Chaa Creek’s Maya 2012 Winter Solstice celebrations.
National Geographic Features Belize’s Sacred Maya Caves
“Mayanists, archaeologists, anthropologists and other researchers love the Maya caves of Belize because they contain such rich, well preserved examples of the Maya’s spiritual rituals. I think it’s great that we’re now seeing more mainstream interest in the caves as they really open up another aspect of this incredibly rich culture, ” Mr Awe said, adding that ATM tours through Chaa Creek are all conducted with the highest regard for safety, education and cultural respect for the Maya.
Maya Doomsday Date Really Ancient “Political Spin”
The Lodge at Chaa Creek’s resident Mayanist said that recent reports from a noted University of Texas scholar are an important addition to our understanding of the true history of the Maya. Speaking from Chaa Creek’s Natural History Centre, anthropologist Joe Awe said that he praised Dr David Stuart for an announcement he made June 28 that not only once again debunked Maya 2012 doomsday theories, but offed a unique interpretation of the significance of the December 21 2012 Winter Solstice date.
2012 The Maya Word
2012 The Mayan Word is both a message of hope and a call to action. Featuring testimonies from contemporary Mayans throughout Mesoamerica, from spiritual guides to activists, community leaders, farmers, artists, teachers, and children, this film is an extraordinary journey into the heart of Mayan struggle and spirituality.
Shifting trade routes may have led to Maya decline
The researchers found that prior to the fall of the Maya inland centers, obsidian tended to flow along inland riverine networks. But over time, this material began to be transported through coastal trade networks instead, with a corresponding increase in coastal centers’ prominence as inland centers declined.
New Maya Mural debunks Doomsday Myths
The Maya of Belize and the entire Mundo Maya region welcome new facts coming from recently unearthed murals at Guatemala’s Xultún archaeological site because they serve to further debunk myths while opening the real Maya culture to the world, Chaa Creek’s resident Mayanist said today.
Chaa Creek prepares for Maya summer solstice
The ancient Maya’s reverence for the summer solstice would have taken on even great significance during their much anticipated year of 2012, a Mayanist at The Lodge at Chaa Creek said while announcing that the Belize eco resort is keeping this centuries-old tradition alive with a week of special activities centred on the Maya Summer Solstice celebration of 20 June 2012.
2012 Maya Summer Vacations a “Rare Opportunity”
The 2012 summer holidays present a rare opportunity to learn about ancient Maya culture and history in the Heartland of the Maya, a noted Belizean anthropologist said. The Lodge at Chaa Creek’s resident Mayanist, anthropologist Joe Awe, said 2012 is an exciting time not only for the Maya people of Belize, but for archaeologists, anthropologists, Maya healers, academics and professionals from around the world, and this created rare opportunities for tourists interested in Maya culture.
Maya Masks and the Dance of the Deer
The deer dance is a Maya custom that depicts a scene from around the time of the Spanish conquest. Participants wear masks and costumes that resemble two Europeans and several animals. The dance begins as one of the Europeans sees an animal in the forest…
Maya Spring Equinox Celebrations at Belize’s Caracol
This year’s Maya Spring Equinox celebrations atCaracol, Belize’s premier Maya archaeological site were a fitting kick-off to the 2012 equinox and solstice calendar, Chaa Creek’s Larry Waight said.
“Only in Belize” The La Ruta Maya Race 2012
The 15th annual La Ruta Maya River Challenge, held between the 9th and 12th of March and one of the world’s longest canoe races, replicates an ancient Maya river trade network through the rainforests of Belize to the Caribbean seacoast and is capturing a larger audience this year due to global interest in the 2012 Maya “prophecies”, according to one long time participant.
La Ruta Maya Promotes Competition and Conservation
The Lodge at Chaa Creek, which has been promoting environmental sustainability in Belize for over 30 years, has been a long-time supporter and enthusiastic participant in La Ruta Maya. So passionate, in fact, that owners Mick and Lucy Fleming sent a staff member to Canada to learn canoe building from Ted Moores, a master canoe builder of Bear Mountain Workshop in Ontario, and now produce their own handmade timber canoes.
Belize Maya Collapse Holds Warning for us
Findings from new research into the dramatic collapse of the ancient Maya Empire that covered Belize and much of the neighbouring region pose warnings we should heed now, Chaa Creek owner and environmental studies coordinator Mick Fleming said today.
Maya Civilization Collapsed Amidst Mild Drought, New Study Suggests
For more than 500 years, the Maya kings ruled the New World’s richest and most advanced civilization. But then, around 800 C.E., the Maya empire began to collapse and its kings soon disappeared; by 1000 C.E., most of its great cities and temples lay in ruins. What happened?