Belize’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Network

Belize’s ICH Network include community practitioners, cultural activists and promoters, representatives of national cultural councils, researchers and academics, community-based heritage professionals, coordinators of the Houses of Culture and representatives of partner organizations.

The ICH Network are involved in a range of activities and participate continuously in safeguarding the living heritage of their communities. They also inform the Convention implementation process and contribute to the development of strategies for safeguarding at the community and national level.

Youth Involvement in the Network

Young people play an integral role in safeguarding  and  the ICH Network makes a concerted effort to ensure opportunities for youth engagement and participation. One means is through an “Inventorying Sub-Network”, which has allowed young people to inventory and document our living heritage.

The Sub–Network is comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds who share a common interest in safeguarding. Each member is either active in the social and cultural landscape of their community; involved with a cultural organization or institution; is a student interested in cultural safeguarding; or has participated in past information sessions and capacity building activities. They have further been oriented to the inventorying and documentation process, as well as culturally appropriate research guidelines and ethics.

ICH Personalities

Here you will find information about individuals from across Belize who have contributed to promoting and safeguarding the living heritage of their communities. This includes traditional healers, musicians and music icons, as well as master artisans and cultural leaders. Learn more about each of them below.

Ernestina Moh

Cultural Activist, Carnavalista

Felicita Cantun

Community, Cultural, Sport Activist…

Estelle Ramclam

East Indian Culinary Expert

Leela Vernon

Cultural Music Activist, Community Activist

Myrna Manzanares

Cultural and Community Activist, Traditional Storyteller…

Paul Nabor

Cultural Music Activist, Storyteller, Healer, Craftsman, Pugilist

Wilfred Peters

King of Brukdong, Creole Music Icon

Sylvia Gilharry Perez

Cultural and Community Activist, Educator

Aurora Garcia Saqui

Traditional Healer, Cultural and Community Activist, Artisan, Culinary Practitioner, Entrepreneur
Lucia Ellis

Lucia Ellis

Healer, Cultural Practitioner, Advocate

ICH Personalities Form

Do you know someone who should be included in the ICH Hall of Fame? Complete the form below:


Communities & Partners

  • National Garifuna Council
  • National Kriol Council
  • Belize Organization for People of Indian Descent (BOPID)
  • East Indian Council of Belize – Various Chapters
  • Corozal Organization of East Indian Cultural Heritage
  • Northern Maya Association of Belize
  • Belize Yucatec Maya
  • Battle of the Drums Secretariat
  • Habinahan Wanaragua Steering Committee
  • Grand Ball Associations
  • Old Citizen’s Sporting Association, Grand Ball – Dangriga Town
  • Young Men’s Sporting Association, Grand Ball – Dangriga Town
  • Hopkins Village Grand Ball Association
  • Georgetown Grand Ball Association