Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline
Remember those wise old Kriol saying our Grandparents use to tell us? E-mail your grauma saying here Or correct our translation & meaning.

Grauma sayings (Proverbs) are different from Belizean Old Wive's Tales. See our tales here! Remember: There could be more than one meaning in your family. So if the meaning is different from what you know please tell us. We'll add more than one meaning!

Emty crocus bag kant stan up
An empty crocus bag cannot stand up.
Meaning: when you are extremely hungry you cannot work.

Falla-fashin monkey cahn buy good soup guh dung a gully go eat dutty soup"
Follow-fashion monkey cannot buy good soup, so he goes down to the gully to eat dirty soup.
Translation: Keeping up with the Jones' - A jealous person will go to the utmost length to say that can do the same as you.

Blood tika dan wata but wata tase betta.
Blood is thicker than water but water taste better.
Meaning: Sometimes interacting with friends or strangers is less stressful than interacting with problematic or difficult relatives.

Lessa fowl,lessa shit
Lessor fowl,lesser shit
Meaning: Less people,less problems.

HAG ME ASK EH MUMMA WHEY MEK EH MOUT SO LONG, EH MUMMA SAY NOH WORRY BABY WHEN YOU GROW UP YOU WAH FINE OUT.
Hog asked his momma why is his mouth so long, His mother replied, don't worry baby when you grow up you will find out.
Meaning: You will learn more about yourself as you grow.

Plantain no eat like rice
Plantian doesn't taste like rice.
Meaning: During hard times,one eats what is available even if it's not what one wants or is accustomed to.

Champagne dreams wid lime juice money
Meaning: Wanting things that one clearly cannot afford,see also...no heng you hat hiya dan you cud reach.

Dat one cut like panya machete.
That one cuts like panya machete.
Meaning: a person may seem duplicitious,a phony.in one gathering may take a certain stand , make certain statements or share a particular opinion, then contradicts or disclaims them when in another gathering.

when trouble ketch yuh pickney shut fit yuh
when you get in trouble, you fit into a child's shirt.
Meaning: When you find yourself in trouble, you will try to get out in imposible ways.

ah chrow mo corn, but i nuh call no fowl
i throw my corn but i don't call the fowl
Meaning: I say my piece but i call no names

NO STAP AH DONKI WEH YO NO OWN.
DON'T STOP A DONKEY THAT IS NOT YOURS.
Meaning: Mind your own business!

LES TAK MO AXION.
LITTLE TALK, MORE ACTION.
Meaning: Action speaks louder than words.

A LIA IS FUGETFUL.
A LIAR IS FORGETFUL.
Meaning: A dishonest person can't remember to be consistent.

BLUD KANT BEE WAASH OUT WIT BLUD.
BLOOD CANNOT BE WASHED OUT WITH BLOOD.
Meaning: Two wrongs do not make a right.

YO BORRO MONI, IE MEK ENEMI.
DEBT SERVERS (IS THE SCISSORS OF) LOVE.
Meaning: Lend money to a friend, and he'll become an enemy.

VINEEGA WEA FREE, IE SWEETA DAN HONEE.
VINEGAR THAT IS FREE, IS SWEETER THAN HONEY.
Meaning: People love getting something for nothing.

IE NO SEH IE OWN BUTTAMILK SOWER.
NO ONE SAYS HIS OWN BUTTERMILK IS SOUR.
Meaning: No one advertises his own faults.

IF YO NO CHEK DI WATA, NO TECK OFF YO SHOE.
WITHOUT INVESTIGATING THE WATERS, DON'T TAKE OFF YOUR SHOE (TO WALK THROUGH IT)
Meaning: Look before you leap.


Yuh gat yuh han eena tiga mouth
You have your hand in the tiger's mouth
MEANING:THAT YOU ARE INVOLVING YOURSELF IN SOMETHING DANGEROUS

Every daag have eh day
Every dog has his day
Meaning: That whatever goes around comes right back, so your actions are very valuable be careful what you say because sometimes it comes right back at you.

Wen dah tree ben yu can't straiten ah.
When the tree is bent you cannot straighten it.
Meaning: That when a child is being spoiled and has grown up to be a man that trying to change him would be too for the parent to do so; that's why it is very important for parents to rise their kids the proper way

U di deh di gren lik chesnat kat
You are there grinning like a cheshire cat.
Meaning: You looking guilty of something.

"Ebre pat gat e kibber"
Every pot has a cover
Meaning: There is a partner for everyone.


Yu coulda lie suga outta bun.
You could lie suger out of bun.
Meaning: You can tell alot of lies.

If dah no so, dah naily so.
If it's nt so, then its nearly so.
Meaning: If it's not all the way true it's almost close to the truth.

Sorry fi marger dawg, marger dawg tun round bite yu.
If you're sorry for a meager dog, the meager dog will turn around and bite you!
Meaning: If you sympathize with someone, or you give them a help, they do not appreciate the kindness, instead, they become your enemy.

Hawg meh ask e Mammie how it mout so lang. Yu de grow!
Hog asks his Mommy why her mouth is so long. Her response, "You are growing".
Meaning: As you go through life you will understand things more clearly.

Wha happen, stick bruk eena yu ears?
What happened, is there a stick broken in your ears?
Meaning: Are you hard of hearing or did you hear what I said?
Di sins of the madda falls pon di child.
The sins of the mother will fall upon the child.
Meaning: Children will bare the consequence of their mother (parent's) actions

Good soup neva meet good fufu
Good soup never meets good fufu
Meaning: Good things rarely co-occur. (Fufu are plantain dumplings)

Yu blade a wonda if you bade.
You're blade, I wonder if you bathe.
Meaning: You're dressed up but did you take a bath?

Cut da rope shaut.
Cut the rope short.
Meaning: Don't take so long on the toilet.

Tiga must di bite.
Tiger must be biting.
Meaning: When some one has a wedgy.

Put two a deh enna wha bag a we wa si who wa come out fus.
Put two of them in a bag and we will see who will come out first.
Meaning: Put two people with the same personality together to see who is more determined to get ahead.

Cut da lang bench shaut.
Cut the long bench short.
Meaning: Put an end to the long conversation.

If yo no listen, yo a've fu feel.
If you don't listen you will fee.
Meaning: If you don't heed good advice you will get hurt.

Yo giv weh yo ass ahn shit chu yo ribs
You give away your ass and shit through your ribs.
Meaning: People who give away too much and is left with little.

The next one submitted by Blznqen
Weh bone nuh provided, dogs nuh deh.
Where bones are not provided, dogs are not invited.
Meaning: If you did not receive an invitation, you are not invited.

Yo act like yo have chinch ina yo ass.
You are acting like you have chinch in your ass.
Meaning: This was used to describe very active children that could not stay in one position for a very long time. It accused them of having bed bugs biting them so they could not keep still.

Whe dags no invited, bones no provided.
Where dogs are not invited, bones are not provided.
Meaning: Do not go to people's houses at dinner time(unless you were invited) because they did not make food for you. Also in general, do not make it a habit to go places where you are not wanted.

Yo bawn wit gold spoon ina yo mouth.
You were born with a gold spoon in your mouth.
Meaning: You were born to a family that is more financially fortunate that others.

De dag dead now.
The dog is dead now.
Meaning: This is the end of the party. All the good times have ended.


Todey fe mi, tomorrow fe you.
Today is for me, tomorrow is for you.
Meaning: Your day is today but sooner or later my day is coming.

One plate a dinna no fatten maaga dog.
One plate of dinner doesn't fatten meager dog.
Meaning: When things are bad, an isolated piece of luck doesn't help much.

Cow no bizniz ina haas galop!!
Cow does not belong in a horse's gallop.
Meaning: Mind your own business.

Changie blak dawg fu monki!!
Exchanging a black dog for a monkey!!
Meaing: Making an exchange for something that's just as bad.
U deh deh di baffu ah cahn gamma!!!

Trying to "baffu" but can't "gamma"!!
Meaning: Trying to accomplish something but can't get it done.
Croffie di ahn, de run da fya but run fra rain!!
Creole run to fire but run from rain!!
Meaning: Some people are giddy.

Adam Bantan wipe e ass befo e sh*t.
Adam Banta wipes his ass before he sh*ts.
Meaning: Don't get too ahead of yourself. (Like counting chickens before they hatch)

DAWG WEH EAT EGG NEVA STOP.
The dog that is eating never stop.
Meaning: PEOPLE WHO HAVE BAD HABBITS FIND IT HARD TO LET IT GO.

Weh eyes nuh se, hart no greive.
What your eyes don't see, your heart won't greive.
Meaning: What you don't see won't hurt you.

WEH ME ERS NO HARE ME ASS NO COUNT
What my ears doesn't hear, my ass doesn't count.
Meaning: I have to hear it to believe it.

WHEN A LET OUT ME ROASTA, PULL IN YU HEN & LOC DE FOWL CUBB
When I let out my rooster, pull in your hen and lock the hen house.
Meaning: Protect your family when danger is lurking.

IF YU NO LIKE DE COW HOW CAN U LIKE DE CALVES
If you don't like the cow how can you like the calves?
Meaning: IF YOU DONT LIKE THE MOTHER HOW WILL YOU LIKE THE CHILDREN

Dry wedda friend or Dry wedda house.
Dry weather friend or Dry weather house.
Meaning: A friend who deserts you in time of need. A leaky house.

Every bully gat e catcha.
Every bully has his catcher.
Meaning: Even a bully will get beat up.

Hag live wit e gaddi.
Hog lives with its godmother.
Meaning: In hard times you live with a rich relative.

Yu di hold lang bench.
You're holding long bench.
Meaning: You're spending to much time (talking).

Man whe sh*t da pass no rememba, da who daab eena it.
Man who sh*t in the past don't remember, it's the one who steps in it.
Meaning: Someone who does something bad don't always remember what they did; it's the person who it affects

Yu si mi crass!
You see my cross!.
Meaning: You see the tribulations you're putting me through (Like Jesus on the cross)

Show mi yu company and ah wha tell yu.
Show me your company (friends) and I'll who you are.
Meaning: You're judge by the company you keep.

No sell yu ass and sh*t tru yu ribs.
Don't sell your ass and sh*t through your ribs.
Meaning: Don't give away what you have and be left without.
Fos fool da no fool.

The first fool isn't a fool.
Meaning: First deception in the real deception.

Food weh no killing, fattening.
Food that's not killing is fattening.
If the food isn't bad for you then just eat it.

Fun bring bun.
Fun will bring burn.
Meaning: Paid will come from to much fun.
(Note: We use to add the line: "Fun bring bun, till yuh Grauma tun (turn).

Fun Bring Bun tel ya eye wata bun
Fun bring pain until you cry
Meaning: when you play around alot your going to get hurt

Aze haud pickney always feel.
Meaning: Children who don't listen to what their elders tell them always end up in a situation where they get hurt or in trouble.

Gawd neva gi yo mo dan whe yo cud bare.
God never gives you more than you could bare.
Meaning: God never allows someone to carry more burdens in this life that what they are capable of carrying.

Aze haud pikni go da mauket two times!
(Hard of hearing child must go to the market twice)
Meaning: If you don't pay attention you may have to do the work twice.

Tiega mauga, but e kaka taura!
(A tiger may be skinny, but his butt is strong!)
Meaning: A small person could still be powerful.

Every day bucket go da well, di battom must drap out.
(The bottom of a bucket will eventually drop out after every day use.)
Meaning: Nothing will last forever.

No stir up stinkin mud if yu cant stann the scent.
(Don't stir up stinking mud if you can't stand the scent.
Meaning: Don't dig up a secret past if you can't take the consequences.

No count yu chicken befoe deh hatch.
Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
Meaning: Don't count as certain what has not yet occured.

No cry ova spill milk.
Don't cry over spilt milk.
Meaning: Don't worry about things that already happened.

Di leaf no fall far fram di tree.
The leaf doesn't fall far from the tree.
Meaning: An offspring have the same characteristics as their parents.

Yo hang witt di daug yo ketch di fleas.
You hang with dogs, you'll catch their fleas.
Meaning: You hang around bad company, you'll get into trouble.
If e nuh bun, e nuh dunn.

If it isn't burnt, it isn't done.
Meaning: If the food isn't well cook, it's not finished.
Di dauka di berry, di sweeta di juice.

The darker the berry, the sweeter the juice.
Meaning: Comes from the notion that blacks are better in bed.

E tauk big, but e sh*t small.
He talks big, but he sh*ts small.
Meaning: His mouth is big, but he can't back it up.

Wen daug havv money e eat cheez.
When a dog have money he eats cheese.
Meaning: When a person have money he buys things he normally wouldn't buy.

Yu wahn no how bauley grow.
You will know how barley grows.
Meaning: You will understand/appreciate how hard it is to get/keep something.

Leev sleepin daugs alone.
Leave sleeping dogs alone.
Meaning: Leave things not messing with you alone.

Di wallz havv ears.
The wall have ears.
Meaning: People may be listening.

Breeze blow pelikin same place him wahn go.
Breeze blows pelican the same place he wants to go.
Meaning: The pelican is a carefree bird who never fights the winds.
Also: Refers to someone who changes direction in opinion or decision to suit the moment.

Di higher monkey climb de more ahss he dey show.
The higher a monkey climbs, the more butt he'll show.
Meaning: The higher (up the the social ladder) a person gets,
more arrogant he becomes.

Man hate you he gi you bahskit fo back wahter.
A man hates you if he give you a basket to carry water.
Meaning: A person doesn't like you if he gives you bad information.

One one fill bahskit.
One at a time will fill the basket.
Meaning: Persistence and attention to the task will get you there, even if slower.

Kine wuhds neber bruk jawbone.
Kind words never break a jaw bone.
Meaning: You'll never get hit for saying something nice.
Coward man kip soun bone.

A coward man keeps some bone.
Meaning: Discretion is the better part of valor

Tenk Gaad fu me mout no eena dis.
Thank God my mouth isn't in this.
Meaning: Thank God I'm not involved in this argument.

Munkey si, munkey du!
Monkey see, Monkey do!
Meaning: Kinda like keeping up with the Jones, or you'll follow what your peers do.

Si mi an live wit mi da tue difrant ting.
Seeing me and living with me are two different things.
Meaning: Not yet ready for a commitment.

Who di shoe fit mek dey wear it.
If the shoe fits, wear it!
Meaning: Whomever caused the trouble will have to deal with it.

Cackroach no go da fowl dance.
Cockroach don't go to fowl's dance.
Meaning: Don't go where you don't belong.

Empti krucus bag cant stan up.
Empty crocus bag cannot stand up.
Meaning: A weak person can't fend for himself.

Di sae ting weh sweet yu wahn sowa yu.
The same thing that sweets you will sour you.
Meaning: What makes you happy can make you sad.

Man aada monki, monki aada e tail.
Man orders monkey, monkey orders his tail.
Meaning: A person given orders pass it on to someone else.

No call aligetta big mout til yu krass di riva.
Don't call the alligator a big mouth until you've crossed the river.
Meaning: Don't mess with someone until you're safe.

Ful belli tel empti belli kip hart.
Fully belly tells empty belly to keep heart.
Meaning: A well-off person tells a poor person to perservere.

Fishaman nevva seh e fish stink.
Fisherman never says his fishes are stink.
Meaning: A person will never talk bad about his family or self.

Evry dae da no Sundeh.
Everyday isn't Sunday.
Meaning: Not every day is a day of rest.

One day bellyfull fatten maga daug.
One day belly full fattens a skinny dog.
Meaning: Eat everything in one day and don't think about the next day.

Yu Deh ride wahn high haas!
You're riding a high horse!
Meaning: Your attitude is demeaning.

Yu gat to much a weh di kat lick e battam wit!.
You have too much of what the cat licks his bottom with!
Meaning: You have too much tongue (smart mouth).

E cold no daug nose.
It's cold like a dog's nose.
Meaning: It's very cold!

Yu dressup no puss bak fut!
You're dressed up like a pussycat back feet.
Meaning: You're dressed to impress!

The following six submitted by the Mahlers.
Chip no fall far fram de blak.
The chip doesn't fall far from the block.
Meaning: You are just like your parents.

Hass laze fu bac y grass wahn stauv.
Horse lazy to carry his grass will starve.
Meaning: If you don't work you won't eat.

Yu culd mek wa haas go fu wata, but yo ca fosa fu drink.
You could make a horse go for water, but you can't force it to drink.
Meaning: You could encourage somebody, but can't make them do it.

Ogly monki eat pretty mammie.
Ugly monkey eats pretty mommy.
Meaning: The ugliest guy/girl gets the prettiest guy/girl.

Da no who lauf fuss lauf best.
It's not who laugh first laugh best.
Meaning: Similiar winning the battle but not the war.

Ol log wod stump da road side.
Like an old wooden log sitting on the side of the road.
Meaning: A Good Samaritan who's always available when needed.

Neva drap di bone fi ketch di shadow.
Never drop the bone to catch the shadow.
Meaning: Stay satisfied with what you have.

If yu mek yu bed haad yu hav to sleep eena it.
If you make your bed hard you have to sleep in it.
Meaning: If you get yourself in trouble you have to face the consequences.

Kiss Pauli red battam!
Kiss Pauly's red bottom!
Meaning: Leave me alone! (varies)

Yu wahn get am wen fowl gat teet.
You'll get it when chickens grows a tooth.
Meaning: You'll never get it.

Ah wanda whey jankro do befo jekass dead?
I wonder what the John Crow did before the jackass died?
Meaning:A comment on people who have suddenly obtained wealth.

Bad ting nevva got owner.
A bad thing never has an owner.
Meaning: People will never assume responsibilty when something goes wrong.

Dis ya time no stan like befo time.
This time is not like time before.
Meaning: This is not the good old days.

Han napkin tun table clath.
A hand napkin has turned into a table cloth.
Meaning: People risen above their station in life and are arrogant to others.

Mout seh anyting !!
Mouth can say anything.
Meaning: You talk too much! (Big mouth)

To much a wan ting gud fi nutting.
Too much of one thing is good for nothing.
Meaning: You'll get bored with the same thing over and over again.

Greedy choke puppi.
Greedy choked puppy.
Meaning: Being greedy can get you intotrouble.

If yu play wit puppi e lick yu mout.
If you play with a puppy he'll lick your mouth.
Meaning: Familiarity breeds contempt.

Parson krissen e pickni fus.
The parson christens his own child first.
Meaning: Charity begins at home.

Si mi an liv wit me da two diffrent ting.
To see me and to live with me are two different things.
Meaning: Not wanting to get too close to a friend.

Sickness come di gyallop but tek e own time fu waak weh.
Sickness comes in a hurry but takes its own time to leave.
Meaning: It's easier to get sick (corrupted) than healed.

Time langa dan rope.
Time is longer that a rope.
Meaning: Things will change eventually.

No put mout pan it.
Don't put your mouth on it.
Meaning: Don't talk about bad luck or it might actually happen.

Trouble neba mek eself.
Trouble doesn't make itself.
Meaning: Be careful not to get into trouble.

When cackroach mek dance e no invite fowl.
When the cockroach holds a ball he doesn't invite chickens.
Meaning: Don't invite trouble.

When fish come fram rivva battam an tell yu halligetter gat bellyache you mus beleeve anh.
When a fish comes from the river boottom and tells you the alligator is hungry you had better believe him.
Meaning: Heed words of warning.

Wen man dead grass grow da e doe.
When a man dies the grass grows to his door.
Meaning: Dead mean are soon forgotten.

Wen man no gat nuttin fu do e go da sabana an tell cow maanin.
When a man has nothing to do he goes to the savannah to tell the cows good morning.
Meaning: Idle people find silly things to occupy their time.

When pickni waan cry you only look pan dem an e cry.
When a child wants to cry you need only look at him and he crys.
Meaning: Refers to people who complain about everything.

Wen rain come, John Crow sey 'e wen buil' house.
When it rains, the vulture talks of building a house.
Meaning: Refers to people who wait until disaster strike before taking action.

Sake a mout fish get ketch.
Because of it's mouth the fish got caught.
Meaning: Talking too much will get you in trouble.

No ebery ting weh gat shugah sweet.
Not every thing that has sugar is sweet.
Meaning: Don't be fooled by looks.

John Crow tink 'e pickni white.
John Crow thinks his children are white.
Meaning: People who think their children are different.

Tiega tred easy pahn slippry slope.
Tiger walks carefully on a slippery slope.
Meaning: Becareful when in an unknown place or situation.

Ah wanda weh jankro mi do befoe jakass dead?
I wonder what the crow did before the jackass died?
Meaning: An arrogant person who found wealth.

Deh close like batty an chemba pat.
They're close like a butt and toilet.
Meaning: Very close friends.

Bad ting nevva gat owna.
A bad thing never has an owner.
Meaning: People will not admit to their wrong doings

Barefoot tea betta dan empti belly.
Barefoot tea is better than an empty belly.
Meaning: A little food is better than none.

Beg watah no bile cow skin.
Begging for water doesn't boil the cow skin.
Meaning: Beggin doesn't solve your problem.

Big word no bruk man jawbone.
Big words don't break a man's jawbone.
Meaning: Words can't hurt you.

Blud falla vein.
Blood follows your vein.
Meaning: Family comes first.

Cow shit pahn e tail, weh yu expect pahn di ground?
Cow shits on its tail, what do you expect on the ground?
Meaning: If a person can harm his family he will hurt you too.

Cow know weh weak fence deh.
The cow knows where the weakest part of the fence is.
Meaning: A bully know who to mess with.

Da no one time monkey wahn wife.
It's not one time a monkey wants a wife.
Meaning: A man wants many sexual partner.

Di eye a di masta fatten di calf.
The eye of the master fattens the calf.
Meaning: People work better when being watched by the boss.

Di man weh lif up haas tail no e batty red.
The man who lifts up the horse tail knows his butt is red.
Meaning: A person who is involved will know the truth.

E deh eena puss an daug heven.
He's in cat and dog's heaven.
Meaning: Somebody who is very happy.

Evry bulli gat e catcha.
Every bully has his catcher.
Meaning: Everybody has his match.

Falla-foot jumbie, you jump eena wata.
If you follow the ghost you'll jump in the water.
Meaning: Following bad folks will get you in trouble.

Finga nevva say look ya, e say look deh.
Your finger never say look here, it says look there.
Meaning: People never tell on themselves, they tell on others.

Fool-fool daug bark afta moonlight.
A foolish dog barks after the moonlight.
Meaning: Suspicious people worries about everything.

E fraid no puss.
He's scared like a cat.
Meaning: Easily frighten like a cat.

Fowl shit white an tink e lay egg.
The chicken shits white and think it's an egg.
Meaning: A person who thinks too highly of himself.

Gaad nuh like ugly.
God doesn't like ugly.
Meaning: God will remember your bad deeds.

Cova a di book no tell di story!
Cover of the book don't tell the story!
Meaning: Don't pass judgment before becoming familiar.

Small rudda control big ship.
Small rudder controls the big ship.
Meaning: A small person may have the better brain.

Slippry no okro.
Slippery like an okro.
Meaning: Someone who is clever and cunning.

Small ax fall big tree.
The small ax cuts down a big tree.
Meaning: Size is not important.

Same knife weh kill sheep kill goat.
The same knife that kills the sheep kills the goat.
Meaning: What you do to others can happen to you.

Scarnful daug eat dutty puddin.
The scornful dog eats dirty pudding.
Meaning: When a finnicky person unknowningly eats something dirty.

Nuh tek serious ting mek play.
Don't take a serious subject and play with it.
Meaning: Keep a serious subject serious.

Nuh evrything weh gat suga sweet.
Not everything that has sugar is sweet.
Meaning: What may appears good may not be.

Nuh heng yu hat higher dan yu can reach.
Don't hang your hat higher than you can reach.
Meaning: Don't spend more than you could afford.

Mek yu slef floclath an pipple wahn wipe dehn foot pahn yu.
Make yourself to be a floorcloth and people will wipe their foot on you.
Meaning: People will exploit your weakness.

Married man da trouble man.
A married man is trouble.
Meaning: Fooling around with a married man is asking for trouble.

Me han no jine chuch.
My hand didn't join the church.
Meaning: A good person will defend himself no matter what.

Monkey know weh limb fi swing pan.
The monkey knows what limb to swing upon.
Meaning: People know their place (home).

Kip yu ass in line wit yu heel.
Keep your ass in line with your heels.
Meaning: Have respect for others.

Haste mek waste.
Haste makes waste.
Meaning: Rush things and you'll mess up.

Yu noh know di use ah di wata til di well run dry.
You don't know the use of the water until the well runs dry.
Meaning: You don't know a what you have until its gone.

Yu deh bout town like drif-about doggy.
You're out all over town like a drifting dog.
Meaning: Maybe you should stay home sometimes.

Dah fool de talk but dah no fool de lissen.
It's a fool that is speaking, but it's not a fool who is listening.
Meaning: The smart person is the one who listens well.

Evry fat fowl ga ih day.
Every fat bird has its day
Meaning:Your bad deeds will catch up with you.

Only daag bauk an chase.
Only dogs bark and chase.
Meaning: You should do one thing at a time.

Pat cuss kettle seh e battam black.
The pot curses the kettle saying it's bottom is black.
Meaning: People who find faults with others usually have faults themselves.

Teef nevva prospa!
Thieves never prosper!
Meaning: A thief will never get ahead.

Time langa dan rope.
Time is longer than rope.
Meaning: Things will change no matter how long it takes.

E lie fasta tan haas trots.
He lies faster than a horse trots.
Meaning: A person that lie very fast.

Trouble neva mek eself.
Trouble never makes itself.
Meaning: Be careful or trouble will come.

Wen puss no deh, rat tek place.
When it cat isn't there the rat occurs.
Meaning: When authority is gone other makes trouble.

Ah wahn be di goose weh pik di grass affayu grauma grave!
I will be the goose that picks the grass off your grandmother's grave!
Meaning: I will live for a long time. Therefore, be good to me.

Haas dead an' cow fat story.
Horse dead and cow fat.
Meaning: Refers to a convoluted and improbable story; tall tales.
"My aunt use to fire off that phrase when her children would comeouble.

Ah wahn be di goose weh pik di grass affayu grauma grave!
I will be the goose that picks the grass off your grandmother's grave!
Meaning: I will live for a long time. Therefore, be good to me.

Haas dead an' cow fat story.
Horse dead and cow fat.
Meaning: Refers to a convoluted and improbable story; tall tales.
"My aunt use to fire off that phrase when her children would come in with weak lies and excuses to wheedle out of work or trouble: As in "No come to me with yu hass dead and cow fat story."

Wen chikin merry, hawk ketch an befo daylite.
When a chicken is merry, a hawk will soon devour him before day light.
Meaning: Your joy may be short-lived if you are too careless.

Tenk Gaad fu me mout no eena dis.
Meaning: Thank God I'm not involved in this argument.

Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,880
Offline
Fun read. Now to try and learn some of them. smile


A fish and a bird can fall in love, but where will they build their nest?

Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline
Close your eyes and go back,
Before the Internet or the MAC,
Before semi-automatics and crack,
Before Hattieville Ramada,
and all the problems with Guatemala,
Before SEGA or Super Nintendo
when life was simple and air conditioning
was your open window.

Go way, way back.

I'm talking about playing hide and seek at dusk,
sitting on the veranda, eating hot Creole bread
and butter.

Seferino, Eustace Usher and Everall Waight on
Radio Belize.

Red light, Green light (those are games, we had
no traffic lights in Belize).

Powder milk (AKA Klim) and a potted meat sandwich
for lunch was dandy.

Kottobrute, tableta, stretch-mi-guts, wangla and
goatshit for candy.

Boil corn and ducuno from Fullmoon Bevas on Hydes
Lane.

Macobi (pepitos) seeds from Bredda Roy or Don
Marin at Holy Redeemer.

Playing caparuche or gamma in the neighbour's
yard, Hopscotch, marbles, ludo, snake and ladder,
Jacks, cricket, Mother May I, Say, Say, Say and
Ring around the
Roses.

Hula Hoops and racing bicycle rims.

Bradley's lemonade (all flavors were lemonade)
and 2 panades for 5 cents.

Dit's meat pies (1 for 5) and Happy Hour's cowfoot soup (only 35).

Black shoe polish on mustaches to get into Eden,
Majestic, or Palace, Crossing kinnel iron, a nude dip at barracks.
The smell of the sun and lickin' salty lips.

Wait ......

10:30 Sunday morning matinee, Superman, The Three
Stooges and Bugs.

Back further, listening to Reverend Matthew and
Chichi on the radio.

Catching needle cases (never knew their real
names) off the clothes line,
Making your own kites with kite paper from
Angelus Press and flour paste.

Making sure roaches wouldn't eat your kite by
putting kerosene in the paste.

Playing sling shot or using rubber bands with
orange peeling to sting maclala.

Remember when walking from New Road to New Market
seemed far away?

And going downtown on Albert Street seemed like
going somewhere?

Ghost stories at bedtime, climbing trees,
gathering black berries and mangoes.

An ice cream cone from one-eye Mallick on a hot
summer day,
Tuti-Fruti, Sour Sap or maybe Sugar Corn. You
found his other eye, you say?

A burger and coke from Shammah's drug store on
Queen Street,

A million mosquito bites, flit, fish (for
mosquitoes) and sleeping under nets.

Kerosene lamps, gas lamps and candles.

Etnas (one-holed kerosene stoves), chamber pots
and the good old white bucket.

Cops and Robbers, Cowboys and Indians, playing
house (oooh, I liked that).

Steve Reeves and Gordon Scott, when all leading
actors were "the bwai",
Sittin on the fence whistling at girls passing by.
.Sliding down the rail of the steps, catching a
splinter in your ass.

Jumping on the bed (if you had one) and pillow
fights.

Running from Catate and Dilo till you were out of
breath,
And laughing so hard that your stomach hurt.

Being tired just from playing. Remember that?
I'm not finished just yet.

Eating Klim with sugar, kawsham too.
Remember when...

The sneakers at Bata for girls and boys were
called puss?

And you were ashamed to wear them at school cause
they only cost a dollar?

When it took five minutes for the transitor radio
to warm up?

And you listened to championship fights and that
was fun?

When nearly everyone's Mom was at home when the
kids got there?

When every kid owned some type of dog?

And how you cried when they poisoned yours?

When five cents was a decent allowance, and 10
cents a miracle?

When Saldivar bread went up 2 cents and everyone
talked about it for weeks?

When you lined up outside Jail at 5:00 AM for hot
jail bread?

When you'd reach into a stinking, muddy drain for
a penny?

When girls neither dated nor kissed until late
high school?

And jukking behind convent or up by Haulover was
cool?

When girls wore quindolyn to church every Sunday?

And your clothes were always clean and pressed,
even though you didn't have many?

And we'd all have to be at the 8:30 AM mass on
Sunday or else?

When you got brawta from the grocery store
regardless of how much you bought?

And 12 cents American cheese and a pack bread fed
a family of 8?

When laundry detergent had free glasses, dishes
or towels hidden inside the box?

When any parent could whap any kid and nobody,
not even the kid, gave it any thought?

When being sent to the principal's office was
nothing compared to the fate that awaited you at
home?

When you wore two or more pairs of short pants
under your long pants to ease the sting from that
sash corn or tambran whip from one of your male
teachers?

When we were in fear for our lives but it wasn't
because of drive by shootings, drugs, gangs, etc?
When our parents and grandparents were a much
bigger threat?

When you didn't dare talk back to your parents,
at least not to their face?

Every daag have eh day!
Meaning: That whatever goes around comes right back, so your actions are very valuable be careful what you say because sometimes it comes right back at you

U di deh di gren lik chesnat kat
Meaning: You looking guilty of something.

Didn't that feel good? Just to go back and say,
yeah, I remember that!

There's nothing like the good old days! They were
good then, and they're good now when we think
about them.

=================

Never sharpen your pencil on both sides, bad things will happen

This one was made popular by teachers, they would tell students that sharpening a pencil on both sides would bring bad luck and someone in your family could also die. Why would anyone want to sharpen both sides of a pencil? Well for starters, if a side broke, you'd have the other side to use, and second, kids also tried anything to seem cool and different. I assume that since sharp objects around kids are dangerous, adults made up that saying so that kids would be safer.

Bad Breeze wa ketch yuh

Don't be making funny and weird faces or mimicking physically impaired persons since "Bad Breeze" could catch you and you would stay like that forever. Bad breeze was referred to as a bad wind that would permanently let you stay in the mocking manner you were. Since children love mischief, parents made up this superstition to make sure they respected others.

Boys and girls, when someone is sweeping, don't let the broom hit your feet

If the broom hits your feet, that would mean that you'd have to marry an old lady or man. This was probably made popular by moms who didn't want their children running around whenever they were sweeping and doing house chores. This was a hit among young girls as they surely didn't want to marry an old grumpy man.

Big Peteh or Tamales foot

Don't walk around barefoot as you'll grow a "Peteh" or "Tamales foot". Peteh is the Belizean creole word for big, flat and broad feet. I don't know why but growing up, there was nothing better than being without shoes or sandals. Heck, I even enjoyed playing soccer barefoot as I had better control of the ball. Adults always warned us about putting on shoes or sandals, but I think it was just because they wanted us to protect our feet from prickles and bruises.

Mind yuh turn mermaid pan Good Friday

When Easter came, school was out and everyone wanted to spend hot days at the river. But on Good Friday, no one was allowed to go to the river since you'd turn into a mermaid. This was ridiculous and I knew adults only said that because as Christians, Good Friday was meant to be a day to forego all pleasures and imitate the suffering and death of Christ.

No give and tek back, yuh wa ketch Piscuch

This one is funny. If you gave something away and later took it back later, you would catch a "Piscuch", a small bump on the eyelid - which is actually a Chalazion. This was done to prevent kids from being mean and to embrace sharing their toys and snacks with others. Also, another way you could supposedly catch a piscuch was by watching dogs have sex or take a dump. (HAHA)

Yu coulda lie suga outta bun.

Meaning: You can tell a lot of lies.

This information comes from the Ambergris Caye Photo Gallery. Link: https://AmbergrisCaye.com/photogallery/160830.html


Catherine Louanna Vernon Samuels

https://www.facebook.com/groups/589353442017044/user/100002443442073


done thru
Seaview of the original St. Catherine's Academy before the 1931 hurricane


Ricardo Negrin
https://www.facebook.com/groups/589353442017044/user/100000245674846

Angela Sosa

Shanti Janus
https://www.facebook.com/groups/589353442017044/user/100061876608919/

We Are Belize group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/519483658064151/

Glen Fuller
https://www.facebook.com/groups/519483658064151/user/100056957806230/


Hi George, there are a few folks who take material straight off AmbergrisCayeDOTcom and don't give attribution or a link to the material, so I am starting to put up this in the discussion of threads like that: "This information comes from the Ambergris Caye Photo Gallery." and then a link to the page they got it from. I hope that is OK, I just did a dozen or so, and will just do a couple a day for awhile. Is that OK with you?

Time Langer dan rope.
(Time longer than rope).

Dis ya time no tan laka befo' time.
(This here time (the present) does not stand like before (olden) times).

Wen cakroche mek dance 'c no invite fowl.
(When the cockroach gives a dance he doesn't invite fowls: (don't ask for trouble).

Wen rain come John Crow sey 'e whey build house.
(When it rains the John Crow talks of building a house).

No change black dog for monkey.
(Don't change a bad dog for a monkey: (don't change the devil for a witch).

Whey fe happen haffu happen.
(What has to happen will happen).

Nebber call alligetta big mout' till you done cross the ribber.
(Never call the alligator big mouth until you have finished crossing the river).

Han' napkin turn teble clot.
(Hand napkin turned table cloth, (said of a person who has risen above his station).

Empty crocus beg cyan tan up and ful crocus beg cyan bend.
(An empty crocus bag can't stand up and a full one can't bend. (Don't go to extremes)).

Sake a mout fish get ketch. (The fish gets caught by his mouth. (Mind your mouth)).

We'n makeded grass litib da e doa. (When a man is dead grass grows to his door. (His friends forget him))

Lili hatchet fall big tree. (A little hatchet (can) fell a big tree).

Tiga maugre but e no sick. (The tiger (looks) thin but he isn't sick. (Don't judge a man by his looks)).

See me an live wid me da two difren thing. (See me and live with me are two different things.)

Borro gumbay no tey till daylight.
(Free musicians will not play till dawn).

Sickness comes galloping pan harsebeck but e da tek e two foot fe walk away.
(Sickness comes galloping on horseback but walks away on foot).

Fool de taak but no fool de lissen.
(Fool talks but no fool listens. (The talker may be a fool but the listener never thinks he, too, is a fool).

Ebery day debil help tief. one doy God de help watchman. (Every day the Devil helps the the thief but one day God helps the watchman).

Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline

Kriol Proverbs of Belize

The students of Standard VI welcome Belize's Governor-General and Head of State, Sir Colville Young to St. Andrew's School by reciting some classic Kriol proverbs. See if you can pick out their meaning!



Ole Heg

Ole Heg is a character that lives in the skin of a haggard old woman. She comes out at night to suck on the blood of innocents. The trick is to throw wangla seeds at her door so that she is so busy counting them she fails to realize that sunrise will catch her out of her skin. You must find her skin and salt it so that when she returns she can not re-enter it; Salt will sting her flesh and she will chant in desperation "Skinny, skinny, yuh no know mi?"

" You picny now of disyer time,
"You hab it good an fine;
"You run about and play da night,
" Sometime till eight an nine;
"Wen I mi leel an stan like you,
"No night could see me out:
" Espece'y wen I hear dem talk,
" Dat 'Ole Heg ' is about!
-Granny's Stories ( No.1) Hag - J.S. Martinez


Belize’s Finados and Folklore Legends

The young nation of Belize has been made home by a diverse spectrum of people and cultures, all with their own beliefs and practices. As you can imagine having so many different people with different lore will lead to some interesting, albeit creepy urban legends and children’s stories. Check out these Belize Legends right out from the creepy archives.

Check out these creepiest creatures sure to keep you home on Halloween:

1 Imps – Duenditos and el Tata Duende


Duendes are common mythological goblin-like creatures that inhabit the campfire story ears of numerous peoples. Iberia, Latin America, and the Philipines all share tales of these forest imps, sometimes as benevolent�fairies but more often as malignant apparitions. Duenditos are generally thought to be forest spirits who help lost travelers find their way home, and in Mexico, they live in your home walls and try to clip unkempt children’s toenails – but often fail and clip the entire toe! El Tata Duende, however, is a much more sinister figure, referred to as the “Grandfather Demon” by the Mayan inhabitants of this land. El Tata Duende had a tendency to prey on children by luring them into the forest and the stealing them (go figure!). Children were also told never to play marbles at night or they’d attract him – after he steals you he takes your thumbs. While it’s unclear what he did with all those kiddy thumbs it’s an unnerving thought that an ugly little troll would take a part of you away.

He was (is?) also a general mischief maker who loves playing the guitar and riding horses. Traces of him could be seen in the braids he’d leave in a horse’s mane after a night of galloping around your land on your horse making a commotion. Luckily for the troubled townsfolk, he isn’t invincible, nor too intelligent for that matter; he could be fooled by children who bend their thumbs behind their palms and show him, El Tata Duende will mistake you for one his smaller cousin and let you go free. If he keeps bothering your horses you can set up a guitar, and a bottle of rum on a still beside a mirror – the theory goes that he will play the guitar and get drunk then look in the mirror and permanently scare himself away!



Taata Duendes (Nukuch Tat) Part 1

The Taata Duendes also known as Nukuch Tat or Yuum Balamo'ob between the Yucatec Maya people . The video is made in the perspective of the Maya Yucatec people of Belize on the Taata Duendes (Nukuch Tat) . information by Nojoch m�ak Andy Chuc .


Taata Duendes (Nukuch Tat) Part 2


2 Phantoms – Stone Woman and La Llorona

Goblins and imps while scary are quite avoidable – simply stay away from the forest, don’t be a child (literally) and don’t play marbles in Central America at night. Phantoms, however, are decidedly creepier, how do you avoid something you can’t even see? Well, that’s their game because you can’t. You can avoid locales that are rumored to be haunted but where is the fun in that? Cue up Xunantunich. The name literally translates to “Stone Woman”, a name begotten not from Mayan Symbolism or structural design but from the legend of a ghost that inhabits the site. The stone woman is clad completely in white, has fiery red eyes and typically appears in front of El Castillo to ascend the stairs and disappears into a wall near the top.

La Llorona, on the other hand,�doesn’t mind her own business like the Stone Woman. La Llorona is said to be the spirit of a woman named Maria who drowned her children in the river as a sort of lovers revenge. After realizing that her little ones were dead she drowned herself. Maria was challenged on the whereabouts of her children at the gates of heaven and denied entry until she could locate them. Since then La Llorona wanders the river banks at night mourning the loss of her children by weeping and asking them for forgiveness by stealing living ones to drown to take their place. The tale of the Llorona is used by parents in Latin America to discourage their children from wandering out at night (maybe that’s why we don’t like the dark).

3 Hellhound – El Cadejo


El Cadejo comes in two flavors that vary in characteristics from region to region in Latin America. In Belize, the ironic version generally takes hold in which the white Cadejo (El Cadejo Blanco) is the evil one and tries to fool you with its appearance while the black Cadejo (El Cadejo Negro) is the benevolent one who guards drunks and vagabonds by night. El Cadejo usually refers to the evil one – whichever that may be in the town you’re in – and is described as a large dog like creature that isn’t exactly a dog. This creature can sometimes appear as large as a cow, has a dog-shaped body with goat-like hooves and glowing red eyes. Perhaps the inspiration for Cujo? El Cadejo can be considered a force of chaotic good for he appears to alcoholics who stagger through town in the wee hours. Its presence is made known by a strong “goat smell” in his proximity and the sound of chains dragging on the ground. Legends warn you not to speak to El Cadejo for speaking to it induces madness, as well, don’t turn your back to it as that has the same effect. Inversely if you have just been caught in the wrong part of town at the wrong hour El Cadejo’s counterpart – Black or white depending�on the version you heard – will guide you home safely warding off his evil twin and any other harm that may have befallen you otherwise. Surely the better dog-goat to come across in any situation!

4�Polymorphs – X’tabay

What’s scarier than ghosts that hang out near your favorite swimming spots? Yup, a shapeshifting something hiding behind a tree. Lurking near the thorny trunk of your local Ceiba tree; is the X’tabay a shapeshifting creature right out from the deepest darkest Mayan imagination. The purpose of this monster? Seducing and murdering unsuspecting men – why does it always have to end with murder? Oh well… The X’tabay is said to be the spirit of a Maya Woman who was pure of flesh but cold-hearted, who envied the good nature of a local prostitute, Xkeban. After the death of Xkeban, Utz-colel was appalled by the sweet aroma of the corpse and the beautiful flowers that grew at her grave, jealously proclaiming that her scent would be sweeter and the flowers more beautiful. After her death, Utz-colel clung to an unbearable smell that came through even her grave and only spiny cacti grew above it. Enraged by this her soul called on dark spirits to bring her back to earth whenever she liked to perpetrate her twisted crime of envy on the local men in the form of how Xkeban was in life.

The X’tabay will appear to you under a ceiba tree in the form of a beautiful woman, sometimes as someone you know and/or are infatuated with and comb her hair until your attention is gotten. After which she will quickly get down and dirty with you, then kill you. Ladies, you are safe from this one, but do keep and eye on your significant others – for safety’s sake.

Other urban legends surrounding her tell of a horse faced monster who disguises itself as a woman and other equally chilling options for appearance.

5�Missing link – Sisitmito


This one seems to perhaps stem from a primordial urge to explain the gap between apes and humans – the concept of a missing link, part man part ape exists universally among people and in latin America takes on the name Sisimito. Good luck finding that word in any dictionary, it has no real English translation. Described as a hairy ape with a humanoid head the Sisimito is a jungle dweller who follows around anyone who happens across densely forested areas, or hunters who stray afar on religious holidays. The Sisimito has no thumbs, backward feet (maybe he had a run in with el Tata Duende) and feasts on raw meat including people.

The sisimito is another oddly sexist monster in that if a man looks into his/its eyes, the man shall die within one month, but a woman catching a glimpse of a sisimito will her have her life prolonged. The Maya believe that due to deforestation their patron god of the forest has taken the Sisimito into the densest tracts of forest leading to the rarity of seeing one today. If you do encounter one, however, there are ways to combat him; walking around in a circle will confuse him and stray him from your tracks, or making tracks through a bush will have the same effect.

If you intent to permanently get rid of him he’s said to be especially susceptible to his long hair being set ablaze – gruesome. The Sisimito is also afraid of otters and will avoid them at all costs, so we’re sure you can get creative with that!


Legends of Belize: Paranormal, Cryptid, and Ghost Stories!

Two Dead Explorer fans invited me to discover the cryptozoologial, paranormal, supernatural, and unexplained creatures and stories that haunt Belize! They sent me an autographed copy of their new book Legends of Belize. In Belize, Central America, there are terrifying stories about strange creatures such as the jungle gnome called Tata Duende who has backwards feet, rips thumbs off, and has magical powers or the beautiful but deadly seductress named Xtabai who steals souls and shape-shifts into animals, people, and even someone you know. Stories of these creatures and many more are so terrifying, they are past down from generation to generation as folklore and legends. The ancient legends are captured, documented, and preserved by Belizean Artists and Animators, GrissyG and Dismas, in a comprehensive series and book with images of fine art, information about the creatures, a compare and contrast of Belizean myths with other myths around the world, description of the art process, and Belizean cultural iconography that inspired the series. This a great book about the mythical creatures that dwell in the jungles and water of Belize! I am grateful for the gift. Please support them if you can!


Xtabai

As Belizeans, we are very superstitious people, and so is the rest of the Caribbean. All areas of Mesoamerica have their own traditional folktales and legends, and within the Maya territory, there are numerous characters and stories. Xtabai is what many would consider to be the most malevolent of them all. The very mention of her name is enough to bring chills to someone's entire body. The character is not fully understood, which brings even more mystery to its motives and is best described as a demon.


It was never alive. It was never a person that lived her life and after death failed to find her path to the afterlife. This is a demon that takes the form of a beautiful woman and manifests itself near the mouth of a cave at the base of the Ceiba tree, the sacred tree of the Ancient Maya. This woman is described having long beautiful hair, and wears a traditional white maya dress that is long enough to cover her feet. This entity appears only to men and may take the form of one's wife or girlfriend, or simply someone that the man knows. Doing this puts the man into a spell. The man will try to catch up with her, but the entity will always be a few steps ahead. It will eventually lead the man to a cave, and if he enters, he will never be heard of again. The only way to break the spell is to look at her feet as she has giant bird feet that she tries to hide with her gown. Seeing that will snap the man out of the spell and he will be able to run away.

Maya women traditionally wear a huipil. They have been wearing this garment from before the Spanish arrival. It is worn by groups living in the Yucatan and Campeche states. The Maya living in highland Guatemala also wear their own traditional huipil. The huipil worn today is a variation that incorporates design features from other Mexican regions, and even from Europe. In all stories of Xtabai, the white dress plays a main role, and so is the act of hiding her feet. There are many styles of huipils throughout Mesoamerica, but there is only one style that actually covers the feet and is worn by the Mestizo from Yucatan. We know that during the Castle War of 1840, many people fled Yucatan and came south, into Belize and Guatemala. There is a very high chance that then is when the folktales made it into this area. If that is so, then Xtabai is of Mestizo origin and the character is wearing a Yucatan huipil.


When the ancient Maya first accessed caves, they were afraid of going inside. Caving archaeologists find the oldest pots at the mouth of the cave and the newer pots are found deeper into it, giving us reason to believe that the Maya became braver as time progressed. They described the cave entrance as the entrance to the afterlife, a place of eternal rest and a place of fright. The Popul Vuh is a mythological story about two boys that descended into the underworld and described a place where many death gods reside.

Xtabai is a mixture between Yucatec culture and ancient Maya belief. She is a demon that manifests itself in front of a cave, a place that also has connections with an evil underworld. She appears at the base of a Ceiba tree, thus desecrating a sacred symbol and giving us an insight that this character has no respect for this world's ideology and is altogether evil. Today the tradtion lives on people gathered around a camp fire or around in their homes telling scary stories to scare children and adults alike.


Cayo Tour Guide Association


An alux or "Aluxo'ob " in plural is the name given to a type of spirit in the mythological tradition of certain Maya peoples from the Yucat�n Peninsula and Belize. Aluxo'ob are good spirits, conceived of as being small, only about knee-high, and in appearance resembling miniature traditionally dressed Maya people. Tradition holds that aluxob are generally invisible but are able to assume physical form for purposes of communicating with and frightening humans as well as to congregate.

They are generally associated with natural features such as forests, caves, stones, and fields but can also be enticed to move somewhere through offerings. Many Mayas make offerings to the Aluxo'ob to protect their milpas .Some Maya believe that the Aluxob are called into being when a farmer builds a little house on his property, most often in a maize field (milpa). For seven years, the alux will help the corn grow, summon rain and patrol the fields at night, whistling to scare off predators or crop thieves.

At the end of seven years, the farmer must close the windows and doors of the little house, sealing the alux inside. If this is not done, the alux will run wild and start playing tricks on people.Some contemporary Maya even consider the single- and double-story shrines that dot the countryside to be kahtal alux, the "houses of the alux" (although their true origins and purpose are unknown).

Stories say that they will occasionally stop and ask farmers or travellers for an offering. If they refuse, the aluxes will often wreak havoc and spread illness. However, if their conditions are met, it is thought the alux will protect a person from thieves or even bring them good luck. If they are treated with respect, they can be very helpful.

It is believed that it is not good to name them aloud, as it will summon a disgruntled alux from its home.


Xtabai is a well-known myth created by the Maya ancestors. She is said to be a beautiful young girl who has long straight black hair. The Xtabai, according to the ancestors, has her feet like that of a bird. She only appears to people that wonder in dark places near the bush and late at night. The Xtabai only calls to men, usually drunk men. She takes them to the bush and sometimes kills them or only hurts them and leaves them with pain in the midst of the bush. The Xtabai then turns herself into a tree of prickles or into a snake.


Nukux Tat or The Tata Duende is a goblin of folklore of Belize. The Tata Duende is a famous folklore common to the Yucatec Maya(Maya Mestizo) culture . In Yucatec Maya is known as 'Nukux Tat' , The name Tata is a maya word meaning "grandfather" and Duende is spanish for"Goblin" also known as "el Dueno del monte" considered as a powerful spirit that protects animals and the jungle.

Many Yucatec Maya ask permission to the Nukux Tat before entering the Bush or before entering to hunt.

Some Yucatec Maya in Belize perform a Primicia Called Jetz lu'um its done for the prosperity of the land . Also during that offering they ask the Nukux Tat(Los Duenos del monte) protection from Mal Aire(Bad Breeze) which is believe to damage the land and those who inhabit them including Humans and animals.

The Tata Duende is generally described as being of small stature that has a size of about 1.2 m high, has a beard, is wrinkled, lacks thumbs, has his feet backwards, and wears a large brimmed hat.

He is characterized as a very short but very strong man with his feet pointing backwards.


Huay K'ek'een is the Bruja/brujo who transform him/herself into a huge pig,who violently chase People and dogs and to do mischievous acts. The Huay K'ek'een is a story many of us especially in the villages of northern Belize grew hearing from our Grand parents and parents.

NOTE: The Hauy K'ek'een is a common legand between the Yucatec Mayas of Northern Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula.

Our Maya Tatitos from the villages of Northern Belize used to tell us the story of the Huay K'eek'en. They said that the Huay K'eek'en is a Brujo/Bruja who transform him/herself into a huge pig with red eyes to do mischief acts at night. The Huay K'eek'en is a story many of us especially in the villages of Corozal and Orange Walk grew hearing from our Grand parents and parents. Huay or Uay comes from Waay in Yucatec Maya, meaning sorcerer" hechicero" and the K'eek'en means "Pig" in Yucatec Maya.


The Huay Peek' is the Brujo who transform him/herself into a huge dog . It is known that Huay Peek' is a large black dog who may appear in houses to scare people , destroy property and even profanate tombs in the cementary . Also known to attack domestic animals .

When the Huay Peek' roam in the streets the dogs bark in a disperate manner . The word Huay in Yucatec Maya means "Brujo" and Peek' means Dog . The stories of the Huay Peek' are heard in Northern Belize but not as common as the Xtabai,Huay K'eek'en,Alux and Nukux Tat(Tata Duende) .


Quetzalcoatl (Kukulkan) the Man the prophet, a Revered King Shaman which taught love and abolished human sacrifice. Some people of the Mormon religion believe the man Quetzalcoatl was actually Jesus returning this time to the American natives.

Most cultures had prophets but did our people had one ? yes we did and his name is Quetzalcoatl known to us Yucatec Maya as Kukulkan. The cult of Kukulkan/Quetzalcoatl was the first Mesoamerican religion to transcend the old Classic Period linguistic and ethnic divisions. This cult facilitated communication and peaceful trade among peoples of many different social and ethnic backgrounds. Although the cult was originally centred on the ancient city of Chich�n Itz� in the modern Mexican state of Yucat�n, it spread as far as the Guatemalan highlands.

The historical Quetzalcoatl - was probably born around AD 947. His father, Mixcoatl, was ruler of the Toltecs. He was originally named Ce Acatl Topitzin, meaning "Our Prince Born on Ce Acatl," the latter being an important Toltec holiday. His birth was immediately preceded by a horrendous family tragedy, the father having been deposed and murdered by a jealous brother named Ihuitmal.


The unborn child's pregnant mother, Chimalma, fled to Tepoztlan. Before dying in childbirth, Chimalma declared that her infant son was divinely conceived because she had swallowed a piece of blue-green jade.

Reared by his grandparents, Ce Acatl Topitzin was sent to the religious school at Xochicalco. There he so impressed teachers with his wisdom and piety that they conferred on him the name of Quetzalcoatl. Meaning "plumed serpent," this was a prestigious title given to persons whose behavior shows signs of an exalted state such as that attained by a saint or a sage.

Returning to Tula, Quetzalcoatl defied his usurping uncle by burying the remains of his father with the ceremony to which he was entitled. He then took over as new leader of the Toltecs by pushing the unpopular Ihuitmal into a sacrificial fire.

Quetzalcoatl proved to be a wise and progressive ruler. In an action that demonstrated both sensitivity and enlightened self-interest, he imported a group of talented deaf-mutes known as nonoalcos to work as artisans in his kingdom.

The nonoalcos were descendants of the highly skilled artisans of Teotihuacan and it was they who produced the distinctive designs for which Tula is noted - serpent columns, square pillars ornamented with friezes and giant-sized statues of warriors.

Quetzalcoatl also abolished human sacrifice and decreed that henceforth sacrificial objects be limited to snakes, flowers and small birds. It's at this point that the line becomes blurred between the historical and the legendary Quetzalcoatl.

Though the priests were undoubtedly annoyed by his outlawing of human sacrifice, accounts of the actions attributed to them are obviously the work of myth makers rather than of responsible historians.

According to this version, the priests summoned an ancient god named Texcatlipoca to help them get rid of Quetzalcoatl. Texcatlipoca was an evil god, and he and the pro-human sacrifice priests obviously looked on Quetzalcoatl as some sort of bleeding-heart liberal. (The only bleeding hearts they wanted to see were the ones torn out of victims and laid on altars.)

Deciding on a ruse, Texcatlipoca crept into Quetzalcoatl's sanctuary with two minor gods, also evil, and frightened him by demonstrating a new invention: the mirror. Feigning friendliness, they disguised him by covering his body with red paint, feathers and a mask.

They served him a delicious meal and Texcatlipoca persuaded Quetzalcoatl to drink a beverage of pulque mixed with honey. The concoction made him drunk and the conspirators then slipped a beautiful dancing girl into his room. He awoke the next morning with a hangover and the horrible realization that he had broken his priestly vow of chastity.

Tormented with remorse, Quetzalcoatl wandered in self-imposed exile for twenty years and then ended up near what is today the Gulf port of Coatzocoalcos.

There he said goodbye to a loyal band of weeping disciples, promising to return at some future time.

He sailed for Yucatan, where he became equally admired by the Maya, who called him Kukulkan. Finally, some thirty years later, he died by immolating himself on a self-made funeral pyre.

He promised that he will return and bring back glory to his people.


If you are in the jungle and come across poison ivy, look around there will be a gumbolimbo tree nearby. It is the most effective antidote to the poison ivy (che chem). It is also a treatment for poison wood.

So why do these trees always grow near each other? According to the Maya legend, two great warriors were brothers, but of entirely different personalities. One, Kinich, was kind and loving while his older brother, Tizic, was hateful and angry. Both fell in love with the same maiden, the beautiful Nicte-Ha. T hey declared a battle to the death to determine who would have her.

A terrible battle raged on, the moon hid, and black clouds filled the skies as the earth was torn apart and the heavens went into hiding. Eventually the brothers both died in each other's arms.

In the afterlife, they begged for forgiveness and asked to return to the world of the living to see Nicte-Ha again. The gods granted their wish and the brother Tizic was reborn as the Chechen Tree which burns and blisters anyone who touches it. The loving brother, Kinich, was reborn as the Chaca tree, which neutralizes the venom of the Chechen. They both watch over Nicte-Ha who was reborn as a beautiful white flower.

There is a slightly different version of this Mayan legend, and it goes like this: Yes there were two brother gods. And yes, one was good and one was bad. But eventually the bad one was so bad that he was turned into a tree so that he could do humans no more harm. But even as a tree Chechem figured out how to keep harming people by turning his sap into poison. And at this point, his good brother Chac� who was still a God, VOLUNTEERED to be turned into a tree so he could help heal all the people Chechem was harming. And so it was. Chaca is the medicine for Chechem. As an added bonus Chechem dies easily from even being too close to the fires of milpas. Chac� on the other hand is virtually immortal. You can stick a piece of it in the ground and it grows instantly into a new tree so humans plant it everywhere as fence posts and there it thrives. It pays to be good.


ALUX IN THE VILLAGE OF SAN LAZARO IN ORANGE WALK FOR EL FESTIVAL DEL PUEBLO 2017

Belizean Maya Folklore : ALUXO'OB THE GUARDIANS OF THE MILPAS Alux(singular),Aluxo'ob(Plural)

An Alux or "Aluxo'ob " in plural is the name given to a type of spirit in the mythological tradition of certain Maya peoples from the Yucat�n Peninsula and Belize. Aluxo'ob are good spirits, conceived of as being small, only about knee-high, and in appearance resembling miniature traditionally dressed Maya people. Tradition holds that aluxob are generally invisible but are able to assume physical form for purposes of communicating with and frightening humans as well as to congregate. They are generally associated with natural features such as forests, caves, stones, and fields but can also be enticed to move somewhere through offerings. Many Mayas make offerings to the Aluxo'ob to protect their milpas .Some Maya believe that the Aluxob are called into being when a farmer builds a little house on his property, most often in a maize field (milpa). For seven years, the alux will help the corn grow, summon rain and patrol the fields at night, whistling to scare off predators or crop thieves. At the end of seven years, the farmer must close the windows and doors of the little house, sealing the alux inside. If this is not done, the alux will run wild and start playing tricks on people. Some contemporary Maya even consider the single- and double-story shrines that dot the countryside to be kahtal alux, the "houses of the alux" (although their true origins and purpose are unknown).Stories say that they will occasionally stop and ask farmers or travellers for an offering. If they refuse, the aluxes will often wreak havoc and spread illness. However, if their conditions are met, it is thought the alux will protect a person from thieves or even bring them good luck. If they are treated with respect, they can be very helpful.


It is believed that it is not good to name them aloud, as it will summon a disgruntled alux from its home.

The ALUX is a dominant character among the Yucatec Maya in Belize and their stories are still heard mainly in villages such as San Antonio and San Jose Succotz in the Cayo District and San Victor,San Narciso , Patchakan, Progresso, and Xaibe in the Corozal district and San Pablo/San Jose in the Orange Walk District . Stories of Aluxoob are told at Ambergris Caye as well.


The Huay Chivo is a legendary Mayan beast. It is a half-man, half-beast creature, with burning red eyes, and is specific to the Yucat�n Peninsula. It is often said[by whom?] to be an evil sorcerer who can transform himself into a supernatural animal, usually a goat, dog or deer, in order to prey upon livestock. In recent times, it has become associated with the chupacabras. The Huay Chivo is specific to the Yucat�n peninsula . It is believe the Huay Chivo is an evil sorcerer that is capable of transforming into a goat to do mischief and eat livestock.

The name Huay Chivo combines Spanish and Yucatec Mayan terms. Huay or Uay comes from Waay in Yucatec Maya, meaning sorcerer, spirit or animal familiar, while Chivo is Spanish for goat, literally meaning sorcerer-goat; it is also known as the Chivo Brujo, an entirely Spanish phrase meaning the same thing.




Huay Miis (Belizean Legend) by Felicita Cantun

Felicita Cantun is a Yucatec Maya from Yo Creek village Orange Walk.


Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline
Wen man dead grass grow da i door mout
Meaning: The dead are soon forgotten.

Same knife kill sheep kill goat
Meaning: The thing you do to others can be done to you.

Fool fool daag bark afta moonlight
Meaning: Fools worry about everything

Blood falla vein
Meaning: Family comes first

John Crow tink he pickny white
Meaning: Parents think their children are saints, different from other children

Sake a mout fish get ketch
Meaning: Talking too much gets one in trouble

When pickny waa cry, yuh only look pan dem an dem cry
Meaning: Some people love to complain, and will complain about every and anything

When man no gat nutt'n fu do he go da sabana an tell cow maanin
Meaning: People who have nothing to do, or are bored do stupid things to kill time

When cockroach mek dance e no invite fowl
Meaning: Don't invite trouble.

Play wid puppy he lick yu mout
Meaning: Familiarity breeds contempt

Han napkin tun tablecloth
Meaning: Someone who has advanced in life and now looks down on others

Bad ting neva got owner
Meaning: No one wants to take responsibility for a mistake or bad situation

Neva drap di bone fi ketch di shadow
Meaning: Don't lose what you have because of greed for more.

Every day da nu Sundeh
Meaning: You can't rest every day, sometimes you have to work

Cockroach nu go da fowl dance
Meaning: Don't go where you don't belong.

Kine word neva bruk jawbone
Meaning: You'll never get beat up for saying something nice or polite

Man hate yu, he gi yu basket fi carry wata
Meaning: People who dislike you will give you difficult or impossible tasks

Breeze blow pelikin same place him waa go
Meaning: Some people will change direction or opinion to suit the moment

Fus food da nu fool
Meaning: Don't blame the first one deceived.

Dawg whe eat egg neva stop
Meaning: Bad habits are hard to break

Changie black dog fuh monkey
Meaning: To make an exchange for something equally bad or worse than the original

One plate a dinner nu fatten maaga dog
Meaning: One piece of good luck doesn't do much to change a bad state of affairs

When bone nu provide, dog nu de
Meaning: One is not welcome where one is not invited

Good soup neva meet good fufu
Meaning: Good things rarely happen at the same time

Ebery pat gat a kibber
Meaning: There's someone for everyone.

Wen da tree ben yu cyaa straighten it
Meaning: Train children properly before it's too late

If yu nu check di watah, nu tek off yu shoe
Meaning: Look before you leap

Yuh borrow money, i mek enemy
Meaning: Debt always comes between friends and family

Blood can't wash out wit blood
Meaning: Two wrongs don't make a right.

A lia is fugetful
Meaning: A dishonest person can't remember to keep his story straight.

No stop a donkey whe yu no own
Meaning: Mind your own business.

When trouble ketch yu, pickny shut fit you
Meaning: People squeeze themselves into tight situations in order to escape trouble.

Plantain nu eat like rice
Meaning: Make do with what is available to you

Hog ask he mumma "whe mek yu mout so long?". He mumma say "nu worry chile, you soon fine out"
Meaning: Experience teaches wisdom

Lessa fowl, lessa shit
Meaning: Fewer people, fewer problems.

Falla fashion monkey caahn buy good soup
Meaning: Some people try to keep up with the fashions of others even if they have to deprive themselves of basic necessities.

Blood ticka dan water, but water taste better
Meaning: Dealing with friends or strangers is often better than dealing with family

Funny Beliefs And Superstitions Of Belize

I should have named this post, funny beliefs and superstitions of OLD Belize since for one reason or the other, the younger generation of Belizeans aren't as superstitious as the old generation. Actually, when you look at some of the beliefs that old people believed in, you can't help but laugh at how ridiculous they sound. But mind you, I respect and understand why these superstitions played such a vital part of their lives. These beliefs were passed down from parent to child over several generations, and these stories were used as tools to keep their children at bay from too much mischief and even possible harm. The same goes for Belizean Folklore.

Never sharpen your pencil on both sides, bad things will happen
This one was made popular by teachers, they would tell students that sharpening a pencil on both sides would bring bad luck and someone in your family could also die. Why would anyone want to sharpen both sides of a pencil? Well for starters, if a side broke, you'd have the other side to use, and second, kids also tried anything to seem cool and different. I assume that since sharp objects around kids are dangerous, adults made up that saying so that kids would be safer.

Bad Breeze wa ketch yuh
Don't be making funny and weird faces or mimicking physically impaired persons since "Bad Breeze" could catch you and you would stay like that forever. Bad breeze was referred to as a bad wind that would permanently let you stay in the mocking manner you were. Since children love mischief, parents made up this superstition to make sure they respected others.

Boys and girls, when someone is sweeping, don't let the broom hit your feet
If the broom hits your feet, that would mean that you'd have to marry an old lady or man. This was probably made popular by moms who didn't want their children running around whenever they were sweeping and doing house chores. This was a hit among young girls as they surely didn't want to marry an old grumpy man.

Big Peteh or Tamales foot
Don't walk around barefoot as you'll grow a "Peteh" or "Tamales foot". Peteh is the Belizean creole word for big, flat and broad feet. I don't know why but growing up, there was nothing better than being without shoes or sandals. Heck, I even enjoyed playing soccer barefoot as I had better control of the ball. Adults always warned us about putting on shoes or sandals, but I think it was just because they wanted us to protect our feet from prickles and bruises.

Mind yuh turn mermaid pan Good Friday
When Easter came, school was out and everyone wanted to spend hot days at the river. But on Good Friday, no one was allowed to go to the river since you'd turn into a mermaid. This was ridiculous and I knew adults only said that because as Christians, Good Friday was meant to be a day to forego all pleasures and imitate the suffering and death of Christ.

No give and tek back, yuh wa ketch Piscuch
This one is funny. If you gave something away and later took it back later, you would catch a "Piscuch", a small bump on the eyelid - which is actually a Chalazion. This was done to prevent kids from being mean and to embrace sharing their toys and snacks with others. Also, another way you could supposedly catch a piscuch was by watching dogs have sex or take a dump. (HAHA)

The origins of the word "Backra"
In the old days, a white man would be called a "Backra" by his friends. This term originated when the early white men in the colony because of the heat would take off their shirts. As a result, their backs became raw from the sun and thus the term "back-raw" and the creolization of these words was pronounced as "Backra."

Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline
More good ones....





Cow no business eeena haas gyalop
Literally: Cows have no business in a horse race.
Meaning: A man should stick to what he knows or specializes in.

Crab walk till e meet kiss-kiss.
Literally: A crab walks (leaves its hole) until it meets a "kiss-kiss" (a kind of large wooden tongs for handling hot objects or, as here, for seizing and capturing crabs, it probably received its name from the parts seeming to "kiss" as they are brought together).
Meaning: The adventurer some day meets his nemesis.

Crab walk till e meet poke-knuckle.
Literally: A crab walks until it meets pork-knuckle.
Meaning: As for the previous proverb but 'poke-knuckle' needs explaining. A piece of salted pork is a delicacy added to many Creole dishes. This taste dates back to the days of slavery when the wood-cutter was entitled to a stipulated ration of salted meat and flour, "pork and dough". The "poke-knuckle" of the proverb is therefore symbolic of the crab-stew awaiting over-adventurous crabs. The Jamaican fondness for salt-fish similarly originated in its uses as slave ration. The "soul-food" of Blacks in the U.S.A. largely derives from pre-emancipation slave food.

Cuss-cuss neba bore hole
Literally: Curses never bore holes
Meaning: Curses and abuse are harmless.

Cut stick fo brok you own back.
Literally: (to) cut a stick to break your own back.
Meaning: Create a situation from which you suffer. (cf. "Hoist with his own petard".)

Daag wid too much owner no get no bone.
Literally: The dog with too many owners doesn't get any bone. Meaning: It's not so smart to have divided loyalties.

Hag live wid e gaddi.
Literally: The hog lives with its godmother.
Meaning: This proverb is quoted to refer to something unashamedly vulgar, it is also quoted to mean "times are hard"-apparently in reference to the old custom of having a child adopted by a well-off family (that of a godparent being an obvious choice) when it is hard to make both ends meet. The origin of this proverb seems obscure.

Hanaasi say two trouble better dan one.
Literally: Hanaasi (the spider-hero in African originated folk-tales common in Belize as in the rest of the Caribbean) says two troubles are better than one.
Meaning: Quoted when someone already in trouble gets into worse trouble. I suspect this proverb was originally part of a folk-tale in which Brer Hanaasi found himself in such a predicament. Note that "Hanaasi" is variously "Hanansi", "Anansi", "Anaasi".


Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline

The Northern Maya of Belize (Corozal & Orange Walk) Believe in supernatural beings like the Nukux Tat(Tata Duende), Alux, Xtabai, Huey K'eek'en,Huey Peek' , Mal aire etc .

Note: The Northern Maya & Western Maya of Belize who belong to the group known as the Yucatec Maya some still do offerings to the Alux and the Nukux Tat . The Alux is the guardian of the milpa and the Nukux tat(Tata Duende) also called El Dueno del Monte is the Guardian of the jungle and Animals . The Huey K'eek'en is a Brujo/Bruja who transform into a huge pig to cause destruction in properties . The Huey Peek' is the Brujo/Brujo who transform into a large black dog who cause destruction to properties and profanate the tombs . The Xtabai and Mal aire is seen as bad spirits . The other supernatural beings mention in this video we have not heard of them in Northern Belize but we have heard about the kisin, Ah Puch and Yuum Kimil which are underworld dieties . Shows us that even between the same Maya group like the Yucatec Maya their are believes that are prominent in one area and unknown in others .


The Northern Maya of Belize have many stories of the Huay the most common are the Huay K'eek'en and the Huay Peek' . The w�ay also spelled as Huay are Brujos/Brujas who can transform into animals . In Northern Belize the most common are the Huay K'eek'en which is the Brujo/Bruja who transforms into a large pig to do mischievous acts like destroy properties and harm people . Another common Huay is the Huay Peek' which is the Brujo/Bruja who transforms into a large black dog to destroy property and profanate tombs in the cemetery . Many of us grew up hearing this stories of the Huay K'eek'een and Huay Peek' in Northern Belize .

Note: Please note that the Huay and the H-men(Maya Shaman) are different . The Huay is a Brujo/bruja who transforms to do mischievous acts . While the H-men(Maya Shaman) is a curandero and spiritual healer which helps people .


ALUXO'OB THE GUARDIANS OF THE MILPAS

Alux(singular),Aluxo'ob(Plural)

An Alux or "Aluxo'ob " in plural is the name given to a type of spirit in the tradition of certain Maya peoples from the Yucat�n Peninsula and Belize. Aluxo'ob are good spirits, conceived of as being small, only about knee-high, and in appearance resembling miniature traditionally dressed Maya people. Tradition holds that aluxob are generally invisible but are able to assume physical form for purposes of communicating with and frightening humans as well as to congregate. They are generally associated with natural features such as forests, caves, stones, and fields but can also be enticed to move somewhere through offerings. Many Mayas make offerings to the Aluxo'ob to protect their milpas .Some Maya believe that the Aluxob are called into being when a farmer builds a little house on his property, most often in a maize field (milpa). For seven years, the Alux will help the corn grow, summon rain and patrol the fields at night, whistling to scare off predators or crop thieves. At the end of seven years, the farmer must close the windows and doors of the little house, sealing the alux inside. If this is not done, the alux will run wild and start playing tricks on people.Some contemporary Maya even consider the single- and double-story shrines that dot the countryside to be kahtal alux, the "houses of the alux" (although their true origins and purpose are unknown).Stories say that they will occasionally stop and ask farmers or travellers for an offering. If they refuse, the aluxes will often wreak havoc and spread illness. However, if their conditions are met, it is thought the alux will protect a person from thieves or even bring them good luck. If they are treated with respect, they can be very helpful.

It is believed that it is not good to name them aloud, as it will summon a disgruntled alux from its home.

The ALUX is a dominant character among the Yucatec Maya in Belize and their stories are still heard mainly in villages such as San Antonio and San Jose Succotz in the Cayo District and San Victor,San Narciso , Patchakan, Progresso, and Xaibe in the Corozal district and San Pablo/San Jose in the Orange Walk District . Stories of Aluxoob are told at Ambergris Caye as well. The offering for the ALux is done personally and in private in Belize .


La Xtabai

Many of us Maya from northern Belize grew up hearing the stories of the Xtabai . Our Maya tatitos from Corozal and Orange Walk use to lay in their Hammocks and tell us this stories . La Xtabai is part of our beautiful Yucatec Maya culture of Belize . This video is in the Yucatec Maya language which is still spoken in Many villages of Corozal,Orange Walk and Cayo .



Nukux Tat or The Tata Duende is a goblin of folklore of Belize. The Tata Duende is a famous folklore common to the Yucatec Maya(Maya Mestizo) culture . In Yucatec Maya is known as 'Nukux Tat' , The name Tata is a maya word meaning "grandfather" and Duende is spanish for"Goblin" also known as "el Dueno del monte" considered as a powerful spirit that protects animals and the jungle.

Many Yucatec Maya ask permission to the Nukux Tat before entering the Bush or before entering to hunt.

Some Yucatec Maya in Belize perform a Primicia Called Jetz lu'um its done for the prosperity of the land . Also during that offering they ask the Nukux Tat(Los Duenos del monte) protection from Mal Aire(Bad Breeze) which is believe to damage the land and those who inhabit them including Humans and animals. The Tata Duende is generally described as being of small stature that has a size of about 1.2 m high, has a beard, is wrinkled, lacks thumbs, has his feet backwards, and wears a large brimmed hat.

He is characterized as a very short but very strong man with his feet pointing backwards.

Drawing courtesy by Andy Chuc a Yucatec Maya from Orange Walk .


Huay K'eek'en

Our Maya Tatitos from the villages of Northern Belize used to tell us the story of the Huay K'eek'en . They said that the Huay K'eek'en is a Brujo/Bruja who transform him/herself into a huge pig with red eyes to do mischief acts at night . The Huay K'eek'en is a story many of us especially in the villages of Corozal and Orange Walk grew hearing from our Grand parents and parents. Huay or Uay comes from Waay in Yucatec Maya, meaning sorcerer "

hechicero " and the K'eek'en means "Pig" in Yucatec Maya . Have You heard of the Huay K'eek'en?

Drawing Courtesy by Andy Chuc



THE YUCATEC MAYA ,CULT OF THE TALKING CROSS AND THE CASTE WAR

During the nineteenth century the subject Maya population of the Yucatan revolted against the Hispanic overlords who kept them in servitude. The conflict, known as the Caste War of the Yucatan in 1847. Soon the Maya had nearly succeeded in driving the Hispanics out of the peninsula, driving them back to one final refuge, the city of Merida in the north of the peninsula. However, the Maya abandoned their seige of the city when the season for planting corn came. That allowed the Hispanics to bring in new troops. The Hispanics with the new force push back the Maya deeper to the Jungle. When the Maya was losing the war a miracle happen.

In that jungle setting a miracles Crosses dress with a Maya huipil appear and it is said that God spoke through them. The cross was originally found at a small spring or cenote (it is said that there were actually several talking crosses, but this is the most famous and hisorically important). The miracle of its speech inspired the Maya resistance. In time a large church, called the Balam Na, was built (partly with White captive labor), and the talking cross was relocated there. From this jungle refuge, known as Chan Santa Cruz or the Little Sacred Cross, the Maya operated autonomously with their Maya State called Chan Santa Cruz and their Capital Noh Kah Balam Nah Chan Santa Cruz.

At its greatest extent, from the 1860s through the 1890s, the Chan Santa Cruz state encompassed all of the southern and central parts of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. With associated, buffer and splinter groups, this state was the core of a broader indigenist independence movement that controlled virtually all of the old Iz'a territories. These territories include the eastern, central and southern portions of the Yucat�n peninsula, extending from Cape Catoche south to include what is now northwestern Belize and northeastern Guatemala. During and after the War many Maya rebels from the Chan Santa Cruz area came to Belize bringing with them the tradition of dressing the Cross with a Maya huipil.

Today in Northern Belize many Maya continue dressing their Crosses with a Maya Huipil especially for Hanal Pixan (Day of the dead) altars as a reminder of their grandparents struggle during the War. While in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo the Maya continue worshiping the talking cross.

Note: Hispanic is some one from Spanish descent. The Yucatec Maya(Masewal) who follow the Cult of the talking Cross are known as Cruzoob Maya. The caste war ended in 1901 when the Mexican federal army took Chan samta Cruz capital. The Maya continue their arm struggle until the 1940's until the last rebel groups sign peace with the Mexican state. The Yucatec Maya rebels called them selves Masewal or Maya Masewal. Masewal meaning "Us" or " The people" and they called the Spanish "Dzuloob" meaning "foreigner ". The term Masewal is still used today by the Yucatec Maya in the Quintana Roo state(Mex) and also it is used in Belize (Cayo,Orange Walk & Corozal)



K'aak'as iik' (Mal aire) And the Northern Maya of Belize

For the Northern Maya of Belize which belong to the Yucatec Maya group the Air has Positive characteristics but also negative . Many of our Maya tatitos and chiichi told us about K'aak'as iik' (Mal Aire) which cause Sickness and even dead . When people get Mal Aire normally a H-men(Maya Shaman) cures it . Also the Maya Masewal of Corozal and Orange Walk perform a ritual name Jetz' Lu'um which is done to secure the prosperity of the land . They ask Los Duenos del monte protection to avoid Mal aire which may affect the land, animals and Humans who inhabit it .

Note: The Yucatec Maya of Belize are also known as "Maya,Masewal,Maya Mestizo,Maya Masewal or Mayero" all are the Same .



Kinich Ahau the diety that represents the Sun



CHAAC AND THE YUCATEC MAYA OF BELIZE TODAY:

Chaac (also spelled Chac or, in Classic Mayan, Chaahk is the name of the Maya rain deity. With his lightning axe, Chaac strikes the clouds and produces thunder and rain.

Today the Yucatec Maya in Northern Belize continue giving offerings to Chaac with the ritual known as Cha Chaac Primicias . The Yucatec Maya(Maya Masewal) Cha Chaac ceremony for asking for rain is a ceremonial banquet for the rain deities. It includes boys acting and chanting as frogs . While the prayers are done in the Maya language by a H-men(Maya shaman). Today villages like San Pablo/San Jose in Orange Walk and Patchakan in Corozal continue practicing this traditions. Due to the constant target and discrimination of certain religious sects in the last decades in Northern Belize . The Northern Maya have become more secretive with their believes and traditions making it more difficult for outsiders to know .



The legend of Sac-Nicte and Canek

Sac-Nicte means white flower. She was born in Mayapan: the powerful alliance that lived in peace-Mayab, Uxmal, and Chichen Itza. Canek means black serpent, a brave prince with a kind heart. When he turned 21 years of age, he was chosen as king of Chichen Itza. That same day he met princess Sac-Nacte. She was 15 years of age. Both quickly fell in love; however Sac-Nicte was destined to be married with young Ulil, prince of Uxmal.

The legend says that a young adviser to the princess told Canek that Sac-Nicte would be waiting among green flowers and that it would be necessary to fight for her, before destiny fought against them.

The day of the wedding, Canek arrived with 60 of his best warriors and climbed to the altar screaming Itzalan! Itzalan! As if he was in the battlefield and stole the princess from the altar. Ulil, enraged, launched a war: Mayapan and Uxmal against Izta. The itzaes abandoned their homes and temples in Chichen Itza. Leading the way was King Canek, hand-in-hand with his beloved Sac-Nicte. The Uxmal and Mayapan armies found an empty Chichen Itza, left dead, abandoned by its citizens.


Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline

THE MAYA LEGEND OF CHECHEN (aka CHECHEM) AND CHACA TREES

"A very curious rule that occurs in the jungle of the peninsula, is that where a Chechem tree is born, there is always a Chaca tree next to it, and most of the time they are a few centimeters together; they say: "for every poison, there is always an antidote". In the Maya worldview, there is a conception of the balance between good and evil and in this case, according to the Maya of the Region, it obeys an ancient Maya legend that took place thousands of years ago.

They say that there was a Maya King called Chech�n, who committed terrible excesses with his people. Apparently, this evil monarch had frightened all his subjects, whom he persecuted, harassed, mistreated and, even came to kill, just for the pleasure of keeping them subdued and terrified. The situation became so chaotic that one day, the people revolted and took up arms against their malevolent monarch. Chech�n was persecuted, cornered and finally killed in the heat of the revolt, but before dying he swore he would return to take revenge on everyone. He was buried in the middle of the jungle leaving his body far from the village. Months later, on its tomb the first leaves of a plant not known until then began to sprout. It continued to grow until it became a dark tree, strong and with poison in its veins that very soon began to spread like a plague throughout the jungle. All the indigenous Maya who came into contact with their harmful sap suffered the evils of that poison. The king had managed to keep his evil on the face of the earth even after his death, keeping his people scared. That tree was baptized with the name of CHECH�N (poison wood).

Some time later, a beautiful Maya Princess with a reputation for kindness and much loved by the people, called CHAC�, unfortunately seriously ill, and after a while died young and her subjects skinned decided to bury her body next to the tomb of the feared Chech�n so that his kindness would take away the dreaded ghost of the evil monarch. Soon another small tree emerged from the earth, this time with healing qualities.

It was the Chaca, which would also extend through the jungle in the same proportion as the Chech�n and, nowadays, coincidence or not; behind a Chech�n there is always a Chac�. Always be cautious".



Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline

La Llorona

"aaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy mis hijos", the terrifying weeping woman, a figure familiar to many Benque�os. A story about how she is doomed to roam the earth, especially through Benque streets... thank you Ms Rosita Kuylen for sharing with us your creepy encounter with La Llorona

La Horqueta

1925, no electricity in Benque Viejo and under the light of the moon and los farolitos, many encountered spirits wondering about. This is the story of "La Horqueta" by Ms Elvira de la Fuente....


Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline

U Janal pixano'ob
Nojoch m�ak Roy Rodriguez giving a little summary on the Maya Yucatec tradition of U Janal pixano'ob (Food for the souls) and Biix. These are traditions celebrated in Northern Belize by the people of Maya Yucatec ethnicity.


Tzukan : The Spirit Serpent guardian of the water (Part 1)
The Tzukan also known as " Due�o/a del agua " is one of the legends between the Maya Yucatec people of Belize. The Tzukan legend by Nojoch m�ak Andy Chuc (To'one Masehualoon NGO member). Continue to follow us for the second video for the origins of the Tzukan.


Tzukan - The Spirit snake guardian of the water, Part 2
The origin story of the Tzukan (El due�o del agua ) one of the legends between the Maya Yucatec people of Belize .

Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
March
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Cayo Espanto
Click for Cayo Espanto, and have your own private island
More Links
Click for exciting and adventurous tours of Belize with Katie Valk!
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 269 guests, and 0 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums44
Topics79,199
Posts500,011
Members20,460
Most Online7,413
Nov 7th, 2021



AmbergrisCaye.com CayeCaulker.org HELP! Visitor Center Goods & Services San Pedro Town
BelizeSearch.com Message Board Lodging Diving Fishing Things to Do History
BelizeNews.com Maps Phonebook Belize Business Directory
BelizeCards.com Picture of the Day

The opinions and views expressed on this board are the subjective opinions of Ambergris Caye Message Board members
and not of the Ambergris Caye Message Board its affiliates, or its employees.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5