Mennonite children selling peanuts to tourists near Lamanai in Belize. |
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| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 10,865 Ethnic Mennonites of European extraction and 793 Mennonites from other ethnic groups[1][2] (2010) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Spanish Lookout, Upper Barton Creek | |
| Religions | |
| Anabaptist | |
| Scriptures | |
| The Bible | |
| Languages | |
| Plautdietsch, English, Spanish |
As of 2008, there are close to 10,000 conservative Prussian Mennonites living in Belize. In addition to this there are another 2,000 mostly Kriol and Mestizo Belizeans who have converted to Mennonitism.[1] Mennonites living in Belize are among the most traditional and conservative amongst all the Prussian Mennonites in Central America. In 1999, the Mennonites (excluding converts from other groups) had a birth rate of 42.53 per 1000, which was well above the national average of 30.71 per 1000.
As Mennonites accept only adults as members, the total membership of the Mennonite congregations in Belize is much lower than the general population. The largest denomination was Altkolonier Mennoniten Gemeinde with 2,052 members. Other denominations were Beachy Amish Mennonite Fellowship with 140 members, Caribbean Light and Truth with 137 members (mostly Kriol), Church of God in Christ with 42 members (mostly Kriol), Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference with 388 members, Iglesia Evangélica Menonita de Belice with 400 members (mostly Meztizos), Kleingemeinde zu Blue Creek with 60 members and Kleingemeinde zu Spanish Lookout with 710 members (All figures as of 2006).[3]
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Despite the unusual practices that many people may believe the Mennonites may have, they have certainly made a major meaningful effect in contributing to the richness of Belize. Primarily, they have contributed significantly to agriculture and the economy in general. They assist the commerce, carpentry, engineering and agricultural industries of Belize. They are known to produce milk, cheese, beans, corn, melons, honey, chicken and eggs. They have turned sections of rural Belize into neat, high productive farmland. They are also skilled in manufacturing household furniture as constructing houses. In all districts a variety of elegant crafted and sturdy furniture can be bought. In the beginning they were known to have contributed in two main ways. These were the increase in Belize’s population and the advancement in agriculture.
Mennonites are easily identified by their apparels. The women wear bonnets and long dresses while the men wear denim overalls and hats. The men wear a traditional suspender and dark trousers. The women wear brightly colored dresses. In many of the Mennonite communities there is a softening of the old tradition. In Barton Creek the women wear the bonnets and long dresses and use horse drawn buggies for transportation. The fields are all tilled by horse drawn implements.
When it comes to burial, the Mennonites conduct their service mainly in German but some parts in English so that visitors can take part. They use bibles like other Christians do. The caskets are made of plain lumber which is lined with white cloth inside and clack cloth outside. There is no buying of expensive caskets when it comes to luxury. A portion of the shoulder remains open during the service. After the rites the whole congregation files orderly to the front of the church to pay their last respect. In Spanish Lookout, members and friends of the deceased addresses the congregation after the obituary has been read. Tombs are not a part of burying. A cross is used for marking the name and spot. Before returning the body to the earth, a few hymns are sung. Members of the community take turns shoveling the earth until the burial is completed. After that the community comes together and feasts on bread, sausages and coffee with the bereaved family. Weddings usually start with courtship and last for six months to a year. The boy’s parents ask the girl’s father for permission. After that the parents get together and set wedding dates. The penultimate Saturday evening before the wedding is called “falafness”. On this event the friend of the bride and the groom shares the bible reading. Weddings are performed on Sundays. It usually consists of two ministers, one to explain the meaning of matrimony and the other to do the blessings. Gifts given are usually tools and household items.
The population stood at 4,959 in 1987. The major colonies were: Shipyard (1,946), Spanish Lookout (1,125) and Little Belize (1,004). Presently in Belize there are eight different communities of Mennonites, namely Shipyard, Blue Creek, Little Belize, Progresso, Spanish Lookout, Upper and Lower Barton Creek, Springfield and Pine Hill.[4]
The Mennonites have made it a point to have their own school, church, and financial institution in their community. They are well grounded in agriculture, as most Belizeans benefit from the sale of their poultry products throughout the country. Furniture crafted by the Mennonites has also been placed on the Belizean market benefitting all. Throughout the country they are recognized as a group of hard working and honest individuals.
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