Mennonites

Class: History 112 Summer Class

Group Members: Joshua Williams, Daynah
Marin & Jazlyn Reid
To: Ms. Ifasina Efuynemi
 History

• The Mennonites in Belize are the descendants of Friesian and

Flemish who lived in Vistula Delta but later migrated to South
Russia and settled in mennonite colonies.
• Mennonites migrated from the Netherlands to Germany, Russia
and Canada in 1790.
• 11,000 Mennonites migrated from Russia into the United States,
Canada and Mexico.
• In Later years 1,700 of them from the mexican settlement moved to
British Honduras, what is now Belize.
 History
• The first set of mennonites came in Belize in 1957 as apart of a
diplomatic mission.
• They first settled in Belize in 1958 and brought their large scale
agriculture.
• Their freedom was granted by Hon. George Price, to live and farm
in Belize.
• The first colony of the mennonites were then established in
Spanish Lookout.
 Material Culture
1. Clothing
• Mennonites are recognized by their old fashion apparel
• Women wear long dresses with aprons and hats
• Men wear coveralls and checkered or striped shirts.
1. Food
• Mennonite spring roll
• Swiss Mennonite Apple Fritters
• Rice Pudding
• Queso Chihuahua
• Zwieback
 Material Culture
3. Tools
• Axes
• Pocket Knife
• Buckets, Ropes
• hatches
4. Musical Instruments
• Mennonites prefer music done by singing acapella but they use
hand made instruments (sometimes)
• Violin
 Non-Material Culture
1. Language
• The Mennonites of Canadian origin speak excellent English. In
general though they can be said to be trilingual, since the older
generation who were born in Canada speak English, the younger
generation who were born in Mexico speak Spanish, and they all
speak their own German dialect.
1. Beliefs
• Mennonites have formed their own community which includes
school,church and financial institution. Not able to use anything
modernized. No deodorant, pills, cars, machinery.
• Children are God’s gifts.
1. Religion
• Electricity is forbidden as well as the use of cell phones,radio and
television.
 Non-Material Culture

• Mennonites see themselves as true followers of Menno Simons'

teachings and of the teachings of the New Testament. They have no
church rules, but they rely solely on the Bible as their guide.
• Attending Church every Sunday
4. Dancing & Music is forbidden
5. Work
• Farmers
• Carpenters
• Cabinet Makers
 Location
Today, there are many Mennonite communities throughout Belize:
• Spanish Lookout- 2,353
• Upper and Lower Barton Creek
• Springfield
• All located in the Cayo District
• Little Belize in the Corozal District-2.830
• Shipyard-4,503
• Blue Creek
• Indian Creek- 904
• Neuland-780
• All situated in the Orange Walk District; and Pine Hill in the Toledo
District.
• These communities vary in their orientation, from very conservative
(no electricity, transportation by horse and buggy) to modern (use
of cars and other modern conveniences).
Location of Different Mennonite
Communities
Location Images
 Contributions to Belize’s
Development
• Belize Mennonite community is renowned for their high quality fresh
produce, poultry, beef, dairy, vehicle compartments, housing materials, and
apiary products as well as handcrafted furniture, and homes. Most
Mennonites live in exclusive communities but some members regularly trade
their goods in town fairs or at the local markets in the western and northern
part of the country.
• They also constructed roads in their communities.
❏ Some Industries owned by the Mennonites are:
1. Quality Poultry Products
2. Western Dairies Products
3. Caribbean Tires
4. Farmers Trading Center
5. Westrac
6. Universal Hardware
7. Koops sheet Metal
8. Hummingbird Distributors
9. Reimers Feed Mill
Contributions to Belize’s
Development
 Outstanding Individuals

Mr. Raymond Barkman- General Manager of

Quality Poultry
Mr. Daniel Plett- Owner of Pletts Home Builders
Mr. Peter Thiessen- Chief Executive of Westrac
Mr. Allan Reimer- Reimer’s Feed Mill