The waves gently lap against the shore as the students of Ecology Project International (EPI) step onto a small island where they are greeted by the rhythmic sound of Garifuna drums. The head of the family, Alex Sabal, welcomes them with a warm smile, explaining the deep cultural significance of this tradition. As the family begins to play, the air fills with the rich beats of the Primero and Segunda drums, each carrying echoes of ancestral stories.
"One of the most fascinating things I learned," says Ana Beatriz Hernández, EPI’s Belize Program Coordinator, "is that in the Garifuna language, there are words that only women use and others that only men use. It’s amazing to think about how language itself can shape community bonds."
The performance is more than just music; it’s an immersive storytelling experience. The family not only plays different rhythms but also explains their origins and significance. The students watch as the musicians—father, mother, adult children, and cousins—bring history to life through their hands and voices. Soon, the group is invited to participate in a traditional dance, reenacting the story of a tired woman returning from the fields who stumbles upon a mysterious figure lying on the ground. Unsure if he is alive, she calls upon the ancestors for guidance.
Each student must take their turn, imitating the leader’s movements—stretching their back, cautiously tapping the wooden mask that represents the fallen man, and fanning him with whatever they have at hand. There is laughter, concentration, and an undeniable sense of connection as they take part in this cultural exchange. By the end of the session, the family presents small flags to representatives of the group, a token of appreciation for the shared experience.
While some students engage with Garifuna traditions, others experience Belize's Creole heritage through the Sambai, a lively dance performed at the T.R.E.E.S. research site.
In the forest, with the organization T.R.E.E.S., they have discovered the use of medicinal plants in Maya traditions, understanding that the connection to nature is not only scientific but also cultural.
More Than Biodiversity: The Human Diversity of Belize
EPI works in Belize due to the importance of its ecosystem, home to the Western Hemisphere’s longest barrier reef. However, just as the marine and terrestrial biodiversity is vast, so is the human diversity. Belize is home to Maya, Mestizo, Creole, Garifuna, Mennonite, and many more communities, each with its own language, music, and traditions.
For Ana Beatriz Hernández, this cultural richness is a key part of the students’ experience: "Conservation is not just about protecting ecosystems, but also about understanding how communities interact with them. This cultural exchange helps students connect science with people."
Ranai Gonzales, an EPI instructor in Belize, emphasizes the impact of these experiences: "Students start out asking about ecology and end up questioning the world, their own role in conservation, and in society."
A Journey of Ecological and Scientific Learning
While the cultural exchange is transformative, the trip to Belize is also an immersion in science and conservation. During their stay, students:
Assess coral bleaching and the impact of lionfish on reefs.
Use telemetry to monitor turtles and mist nets to study bats.
Explore mangroves and study macroinvertebrates as water quality indicators.
Collect nurdles on the beach and analyze their origin.
Each of these activities reinforces EPI’s educational model, where students not only learn about the environment but actively participate in its conservation.
“It was an incredible experience. I learned a lot about Belizean culture, as well as built upon my knowledge of ecology and became more aware of some of the conservation challenges and ways to help. Learning about and contributing to all of the research projects was very rewarding!" says an excited student from St Andrew's Sewanee School.
The Garifuna People and Their Cultural Legacy
The Garifuna people, descendants of Africans and Arawak and Carib Indigenous groups, arrived in Belize in 1802 after being exiled from Saint Vincent by the British. Their culture has been recognized by UNESCO as an Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
They are known for their vibrant music, especially the punta genre, which is accompanied by sacred drums like the Primero and Segunda. They also celebrate spiritual rituals such as the Dügü, a ceremony to honor their ancestors.
What is the Sambai and Who Are the Creoles?
The Creole people are descendants of enslaved Africans and Europeans who, after the abolition of slavery in 1838, forged their own identity in Belize. They speak Kriol, a Creole language based on English with African and Caribbean influences, and have enriched the country with their music, cuisine, and festivals.
The Sambai is a traditional Creole dance associated with fertility and community celebrations. In its traditional form, dancers take turns in a circle of percussion, where the intense rhythm of the drums guides the energetic movements.
Experience It Yourself
A trip to Belize with EPI is not just an ecology course—it is an immersion into the cultural and natural diversity of this country. If you are a student or teacher and want to be part of this transformative experience, visit our website for more information on our courses:
Discover Belize through science, culture, and conservation!