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Native American Tribes and Languages of Belize

This is an index to the Native American information on our website pertaining to Belize Indian tribes and the indigenous languages spoken in Belize. Some pages contain more information than others. If you belong to a native tribe of Belize that is not currently listed on this page and you would like to see it here, please contact us about contributing information to our site.

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Indigenous People in Belize

Did you know the name "Belize" is a Mayan word? It comes from the Maya word Balix (pronounced buh-leesh), which means "muddy water" and was the name of a local river.

Mayan people are still one of the main ethnic groups of Belize today. However, only a small number of the indigenous and mixed-race population still speak Mayan and Cariban languages. Most Native people living in Belize today speak Spanish, English, or Creole.

The indigenous inhabitants of Belize include:

The Garifuna people
The Kekchi Indians
The Mopan Maya Indians
The Yucatec Maya Indians

Recommended books about Belize's Native Americans:
(Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links)

Maya Atlas: The Struggle to Preserve Maya Land in Southern Belize: Information on the Belizean Mayans, with many maps.
*The Maya of Belize: History book on the Mayan peoples of Belize, particularly in post-Columbian times.
*Time Among The Mayas: Book on the culture and survival of the Maya Indians of Belize, Guatemala and Mexico.
*Rainforest Remedies: 100 Healing Herbs of Belize: Book about the ethnobotany of Belize's Indian tribes.

Other resources about American Indian history, culture and society in Belize:

Belize Indigenous Training Institute: Organization working on behalf of Belize Indians.
Language Map of Belize and Guatemala: Map showing where Mayan and Carib communities live in Belize.
Maya Civilization Timeline: Article on the history of the Maya tribes of Belize.
Maya Archaeological Sites in Belize: Maps, pictures, and explanations of the major Mayan ruins in Belize.
Crystal Cave: Article and documentary video about an ancient Mayan sacrifice site in Belize.
Pyramids in Belize: Photographs of Belize Mayan temples.
Belize Cultural Objects: Museum exhibit with photos of Belize Native artifacts.
A Melting Pot of Cultures: Garifuna, Maya, and Mestizo clothing, food and music in Belize.
Maya Villages Fight For Land Rights: Article about the Mayan struggle for sovereignty in Belize.



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