Sustainability, cultural immersion and public engagement... These are the latest buzz words that people use to refer to a new approach in the tourism and heritage industries. It is no secret that tourists are looking for more authentic travel experiences. People have come to terms with the magnitude of their own economic, ecological and cultural impact when travelling. Most of us want to know how we can find adventures that bring us closer to people and the unfiltered reality of a country.

Small community-led museums are an excellent way to connect with visitors and showcase local culture. Sadly, many of these initiatives fall through due to lack of business strategy and economic and infrastructural support. When there are exceptions, they show us the potential of what a small community initiative can achieve.

A family museum in San Lazaro Village in Northern Belize has grown into a fantastic hub for tourism and cultural research in the past few years. The museum is located in the Orange Walk District, famous for its sugar production. San Lazaro Village is in the heart of this sugar belt between the archaeological sites of Cuello and the popular Lamanai Archaeological Reserve. The museum is called U Chan Muul Yaax K'aax (Little Mound in the Green Forest), and it is owned by the Carrillo family in San Lazaro Village.

What the North has to Offer

U Chan Muul Yaax K'aax, San Lazaro Village, Belize © Hugo Carillo

Visitation in Northern Belize is significantly lower than in other popular areas of the country. The active tourist attractions are the Maya archaeological parks, which are often cut off from the rest of the villages and towns. Today's Northern Belize’s culture is rarely documented or seen in travel blogs and publications.

“There was little or no documentation of the community and its people, not only in the community but also in surrounding communities. Thus we embarked on researching, starting from the Maya civilisation, the Maya Social War, better known as Guerra de Castas (Caste War), the different migrations of various generations and up to present date. We discovered that we are unique and filled with wealthy historical tradition and culture. There was a need to showcase our inheritances and legacies.”

— Mr Hugo Carillo, Museum Director, San Lazaro Village, Belize 2020

A Community Effort

The collections showcase the local history of San Lazaro and the surrounding villages. They include pre-hispanic Maya, Caste War (1847), Mestizo and present-day Maya objects as well as a small botanical medicinal Maya garden that incorporates a folklore display. The exhibited materials were collected from residents or found in the area. Pictures of Maya elders from various communities will be on display to showcase their contribution to the preservation of the Maya culture and language.

As Mr Carillo puts it; "Each piece has its history depending on the period, Maya artefacts as well as traditional pieces, each passed down from different generations."

Stir Some Dust to Get Support

The Carillo family was determined and dedicated to their museum. Luckily, the concept eventually caught the eyes of numerous influential institutions that decided to collaborate in the maintenance and the development of the place. In 2017, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation in Belize developed a plan for tourism development in the area and the museum was included as an attraction on the Holpatin Trail.

In 2018, the museum was selected as a pilot project as part of the Regional Maya Community-based Tourism Project, implemented by the Mundo Maya Organization and supported in Belize by the Ministry of Tourism. The museum is under a significant development process since they received a business plan and equipment valued at around US$ 12,000 through the Regional Maya Community-based Tourism Project. The museum also benefited from familiarization trips with tour operators and marketing initiatives organized by the Ministry of Tourism and the Mundo Maya Organization.

Supporting the Community

The development of the museum not only brings educational and social improvements to the area, but it has significant economic implications.

Most of the community is involved in the seasonal sugar cane industry. The museum can provide stable jobs to people as they rely on the community to provide goods and services, such as arts and crafts, food preparation or maintenance. In the long run, there is hope that the surrounding villages will also be able to open towards tourism and capitalise on opportunities associated with travel.

Save the Culture

The Mesoamerican Ballgame (Pok Ta Pok), U Chan Muul Yaax K'aax, San Lazaro Village, Belize © Hugo Carillo

Although the museum is in its first development phase, it already acquired great cultural significance. They are the first community initiative in the area that successfully built a museum which focuses on preserving the history and culture of the small villages in the Orange Walk District. The effort will allow students, researchers and tourists to look at collections, to participate in different programs such as workshops in painting, embroidery, music, food and to attend conferences.

“It will increase the community and the communities’ sense of wellbeing, to feel proud of where we have come from. It can inspire, challenge and stimulate the community. Many of the people, in some way or the other, have faced issues such as poverty, inequality, intolerance and discrimination. The active public participation will engage communities and transform knowledge.”

— Mr Hugo Carillo, Museum Director, San Lazaro Village, Belize 2020

Although the fate of the museum will depend on the continuous support and visitation levels, reaching this stage is a big step. The North of Belize is filled with rich history, archaeology and culture. Still, it often lacks the right support and encouragement to make knowledge available. The U Chan Muul Yaax K'aax Museum has become a blissful exception. It shows how small initiatives can be influential and how those "buzz words" about sustainability, cultural immersion and public engagement are essential to advocate tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

Directions:

To get to the museum from Belize City, you can take a bus that heads north (Corozal or Orange Walk). Buses depart hourly from the central bus station in Belize City. Once in Orange Walk Town, there are buses that connect you to San Lazaro Village.

Visitors do need to make prior arrangements with the museum and Mr Hugo Carillo. They can direct you and provide guided tours run by local tour guides.

Contact:

As the U Chan Muul Yaax K'aa Museum website is still in progress, the best way to contact Mr Hugo Carillo is via the U Chan Muul Yaax K'aax Facebook page or via email to dbvoy@hotmail.com. As an alternative, contact Heritage Education Network Belize or the Belizean Ministry of Tourism directly.

Written by: Ella Békési

U Chan Muul Yaax K'aax: How a Small Museum in Belize Paves the Way Towards Inclusive Cultural Preservation