belize, 1980 - Prolades.com

3.5 OTHERS & NOT STATED (9.5%, 1980 Census):
3.5.1 WHITE EUROPEANS & NORTH AMERICANS (4.2%, 1980 Census)
People of many nationalities live in Belize, but Europeans and North Americans are
especially present in the tourism industry, sports fishing and other commercial enterprises.
Some of the North Americans (US and Canadian citizens) are missionaries or lay volunteers
who serve with a variety of Protestant and Roman Catholic agencies, while others are members
of the various Mennonite communities (5,647 in 1980). Between 1960 and 1980, 2,006
Europeans and North Americans immigrated to Belize, according to official census reports.
3.5.2 EAST INDIAN (2,997 or 2.1%, 1980 Census)
Between 1861 and 1891, indentured workers from India (called East Indians) were brought
to Belize by large landowners, who hoped that the importation of these agricultural laborers would
be as successful as in Trinidad and British Guiana. But only a small number of East Indians actually
arrived in Belize, where they worked on the large sugar plantations in Toledo and Corozal districts.
The 1891 Census lists only 291 persons living in the Colony who were born in India. Today, their
descendants still grow rice in the Toledo District or other crops in Corozal District. Most are smallscale
farmers, while others have become merchants. In 1980, there were two clearly discernible
settlements: Calcutta in Corazal District in the north and Forest Home near Punta Gorda in Toledo
District in the south. About 47% of this ethnic group lives in these two settlements and the rest live
elsewhere, especially in urban centers: Corozal, Punta Gorda, Belmopan and Belize City. Although
most of the descendents of the early East Indian immigrants no longer speak Hindi, now preferring
to use Creole or Spanish, there are a small number of Hindi-speaking East Indian merchants who
live in Belize City and Orange Walk Town, but they are relative newcomers and have no cultural ties
with descendents of earlier East Indian immigrants. Although only 106 people listed Hinduism as
their religious affiliation in 1980, many others probably have retained some of their Hindu (or
Buddhist, Jain, Sant Mat) beliefs over the years, while others now attend Catholic or Protestant
churches, mainly the Methodist Church.
3.5.3 CHINESE (200-300, 1980 estimate)
During the 1860s, indentured workers from China were imported to the Colony, but the
venture was not very successful, with some dying from disease while others fled to live among the
Amerindians of Yucatan. Descendants of these early Chinese immigrants still live in Belize, but most
of the Chinese population today has arrived since the 1930s. Few have become Christians. The
majority continue to worship their ancestors, while pursuing age-old cultural and religious traditions
(Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism) and operating stores, restaurants and lottery sales.
Between 1960 and 1980, 112 Chinese nationals immigrated to Belize. Most reside in Belize City,
but at least a few Chinese families live in every major town.
3.5.4 SYRIAN-LEBANESE (170-200, 1980 estimate)
Some of the most successful businessmen in Belize are Syrians or Lebanese who have lived
there for two or three generations. Although few in number, Syrians have fulfilled an important role
in the community, along with Chinese merchants. Family ties are strong but little is known about
their current religious beliefs: some are Arab Muslims (110) while others are Eastern Orthodox
(Maronite) or Roman Catholic. Also, there are a small number of Palestinian immigrants and their
descendents, including a leading Belizean politician—Mr. Said Musa.
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