03 -Banquitas House of Culture

After an engaging and successful morning session teaching micro:bit lessons to students from the Institute for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ITVET) at the Pathlight Center in Orange Walk, our next stop was the Banquitas House of Culture. Before we even left the center, we were given a preview of what to expect by Jamir, an enthusiastic ITVET teacher. He shared stories and insights about Belize’s diverse cultural roots—particularly the Garifuna people—and even hinted at surprising connections between Garifuna and Ghanaian traditions, sparking curiosity in our team members Benjamin and Joshua, who are both from Ghana. (In the photo to the right, Jamar is in an orange shirt with a baseball cap toward the back left. The MSU team is intently listening to his stories.)

When we arrived at Banquitas, located along the New River just a few miles from the Pathlight center, we were immediately drawn in by the artifacts and exhibits on display. The museum is self-guided, with detailed explanations accompanying each section, allowing us to explore at our own pace. There was no need for a guide; all it took was interest—and we had plenty of that.

One fun exhibit featured Tata Duende, a well-known figure in Belizean folklore. Said to be the guardian spirit of the forests, he is described as a short, hairy man with backwards feet who protects children and punishes those who disrespect nature. Many Belizeans grow up hearing stories of Tata Duende. Seeing a model of this little man at Banquitas brought those tales to life. In the photo on the left, Sanya, standing next to Tata Duende, is enjoying feeling tall for a change! 🤗

A 3-D sculpture of the body of a bull with a hole in its center also caught our eye. We were told someone would step into the hole and carry the body around their waist as they chased after others. It became a photo op when Benjamin, encouraged to "test it out," did just that! 🤣

After browsing for a bit, we were invited to sit down for two cultural presentations highlighting the rich traditions of Belize’s Maya and Garifuna communities. The first presenter gave a spirited overview of Maya history and customs, including storytelling, clothing, and food. She introduced a local woman dressed in a traditional Maya dress, which included a colorful three-layered garment the woman had woven entirely by hand—a process that took her six months to complete. As computer science students, we couldn’t help but admire her craftsmanship and dedication—it reminded us of debugging code, except with fabric—which requires both persistence and patience. (In the photo on the right, the presenter is on the left and the model appears to her right.)

Our second cultural immersion was led by a Garifuna curator, who explained the history of this Afro-Indigenous group descended from West and Central Africans, Island Caribs, and Arawaks. We learned about the Garifuna flag, musical instruments, and especially the language—which blends influences from Arawak, French, Spanish, English, and West African languages. It was particularly meaningful to hear the similarities Benjamin and Joshua observed between Garifuna and Ghanaian customs. Despite the miles and centuries between them, the parallels in language, dance, and storytelling served as a powerful reminder that human cultures are more connected than we often realize.

We also got a taste—literally and figuratively—of cultural practices through dance. The Mayan model demonstrated a traditional Maya courtship dance. After consuming fermented beverages, men would perform these carefully correographed dances to attract a partner. A few of our team members were courageous enough to try some steps of a traditional Yucatec Maya dance in which the dancer balances a bottle on their head—filled with water in Joshua's case. The visit thus ended with a burst of movement and laughter. It was a perfect blend of education and expression.

Our afternoon at the Banquitas House of Culture was both eye-opening and energizing. It offered a deeper understanding of Belize’s cultural diversity and left us inspired by the resilience and richness of its people. Refreshed and reflective, we headed off for our final lesson of the day—carrying with us a new appreciation for the community we were serving.