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Today is International Kriol Heritage Day, a day to celebrate the language, culture and history of Belize’s Kriol people. The Kriol community has its roots in Belize’s colonial past, developing over generations through the interaction of different groups, including African descendants and Europeans who lived and worked in the settlement that later became Belize. Over time, Kriol grew into a unique culture of its own, with its own language, traditions, food, music and way of life. For many Belizeans, Kriol is more than just a language spoken at home or among friends. It carries the stories of our ancestors and reflects an important part of Belize’s history.Vice President of The National Kriol Council, Crysel Gabourel Moro is reminding Belizeans to take pride in who they are and to continue passing on the language and traditions to younger generations.
Crysel Gabourel Moro, National Kriol Council: “Kriol Heritage Day da more than just celebrating language and culture. Da bout di celebrate who we are and the contributions weh we mek fi we country. It connect we to we history, with we ancestors, we traditions, and even the experiences weh shape we Kriol identity. When we talk Kriol, we di keep da heritage alive, especially fi we young people. We no fi shame a talk fi we language. In fact, Kriol language, deh talk Kriol from north to south a Belize. So fi we children need fi know the stories, the foods, the expressions, the songs, the traditions, the dances weh mek Kriol people who we are. When we pass dem down deh ya thing ya we help preserve we heritage so that the next generation could celebrate and be just as proud as we.”
The council also highlighted, keeping Kriol heritage alive starts with everyday actions families speaking the language, sharing stories, and making sure young people understand where they come from.
Crysel Gabourel Moro, National Kriol Council: “The National Kriol Council work fi keep we heritage alive by di create more opportunities fi people fi learn bout, celebrate and tek pride in we culture. We support initiatives inna villages like Flowers Bank Day and the Kriol Boot Camp weh da mi a summer program weh mi get held in Willows Bank by Mr. and Mrs. Pook. We also support the Christmas Bram and Sambai weh get done ina Gales Point. We do Kriol games fi the Emancipation Day Ebo Town celebration. We have language classes, dance workshops, drumming workshops—you know, different things fi engage the youths. But we believe that Kriol heritage deserve fi be properly recognized, respected. We need fi document, you know, pass on. So we have much more history, we have so much more history and culture weh need fi be taught, recorded, protected. Heritage Day da one initiative weh I start fi bring awareness and help educate people. Just like da question: “Who da Belize Kriol?” Thankfully, we have collaborations with the Belize Kriol Heritage Association weh mi able fi help we with that definition based pan historical facts. We also wah mek dem know that we got culture and rich heritage, and we deserve fi celebrate it. So Kriol Heritage Day da one time when all Kriol people should come together as one and celebrate, fi be proud a yo culture.”
From brukdong music and traditional foods to sayings passed down through generations, Kriol culture continues to be a strong part of Belize’s national identity. This International Kriol Heritage Day, the message is simple: bee prowd a yuself ahn huu wi deh az wahn pipl. The council has a week long of activities commorating today.
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