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Maya
Boy |
San Antonio is one of the thirty-five Mayan villages in
the Toledo district, and has the largest community of Mopan
Mayas in the region. San Antonio, the second largest community
in the district, can either be accessed through the road
to Sylvester Village and San Pedro Columbia, near Lubaantun,
or further south on the highway through the unpaved road
going west at the junction to Punta Gorda Town.
The village is built on a small area of hills and valleys,
where thatched huts, made with wooden walls are predominant.
Some zinc roofs and cement houses also stand strong in the
village. Nearby San Antonio falls is a popular swimming
spot for residents and visitors. On a hot day, children
can be found swimming and playing in the refreshing pool,
under the waterfall.
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Roman
Catholic Church |
Of particular interest is San Antonio Roman Catholic Church.
Visitors can’t miss it, as it stands tall and strong
atop one of the highest hills in the village. Made of stone,
this church stands out. It is said to be the only church
of its kind in the country, and was built by villagers who
transported the stones themselves, after the church had
been destroyed by fires three times. Masses are not held
regularly, for there isn’t a resident pastor, but
traveling priests say mass at least twice per month. A statue
of the village’s patron saint, San Luis Rey, stands
at the front of the church, surrounded by candles. The church’s
stained glass windows were donated, after being salvaged
from a church in St. Louis, Missouri, before it was demolished.
A novena is held annually in honor of the village’s
patron Saint. The celebration lasts nine days, and begins
on August 15.
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Patron
Saint - San Luis Rey |
Mayan men, women and children gather to listen to the preyostes
(elders) play marimba, and perform the Deer Dance. The Deer
Dance is a traditional dance performed by twelve preyostes,
men only, and is danced only three different times for the
year (for another patron saint in June, and during the Christmas
season).
Each night, for nine consecutive nights, the gathering takes
place at a different residence in the village. Late afternoon,
three men begin to play the marimba in a dark thatched hut.
For about half an hour, the marimba plays on. Then, the
group prays the rosary in honor of the saint. After the
rosary, the marimba strikes up again before the procession.
The host then makes an offering to the saint, with a procession
of candles, and marimba music from their home to the church.
Two men walk holding the marimba, while three men play.
Candles are also traditionally part of the procession.
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Maya
Girl offering Beans |
It is evident that the culture is changing, because as the
years go by, less people actually participate. Many small
children are present at the celebration, along with elders
and women, but not too many teenagers participate. The apparent
fading enthusiasm in the younger generation is consistent
with worldwide tendencies, as development and globalization
take over; but the villagers insist on keeping the tradition
alive. While the town is predominantly Catholic, there are
many other religious denominations. The infiltration of
other cultures and ways of life is inevitable, and some
of the younger generation of Mopan Mayas in this remote
village can be seen with baseball caps and fashionable jeans,
listening to world music, still living among conventional
Mayan families, who wash in the river, and live basic lifestyles.
By just driving through the village, visitors would never
experience the more intimate moments of the Mayan lifestyle.
Just stopping to sit and chat, will take you to another
world.
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Traditional
Mayan meal |
The Mopan Maya of Belize are English speaking, as opposed
to the Mayan inhabitants of nearby Guatemala and Mexico.
In fact, some may not even speak Spanish, just their native
language and the local dialect, Creole. The faces of the
older women are imprinted with lines of age and wisdom.
They walk about with their typical Maya dress, most with
a white embroidered blouse, and wide colorful skirt. Many,
along with their daughters, sell hand made crafts, particularly
straw baskets. The children are curious, energetic and full
of life. It’s impossible not to be taken by the smiles
and liveliness in the children. They are all playful and
friendly, and enjoy mingling with visitors.
San Antonio residents are very welcoming of visitors. They
have been open to tourism development, and even offer stays
in their own homes, where visitors can actively participate
in everyday activities such as cooking and farming. For
more privacy, basic accommodations are provided at the TEA
guesthouses, where visitors can also enjoy Mayan cultural
experiences.
Places nearby: 
Interests:
