ICA Director Says Various Cultures are Diverse, Dynamic, Belizean

Miss Universe Belize, Halima Hoy, faced backlash from the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) over her national costume and presentation of the Deer Dance on stage. SATIIM called her presentation sacrilegious, explaining that the Deer Dance is a sacred religious ceremony for Maya communities. They emphasized that no Maya person who follows their traditions would wear a Deer Dance mask or clothing outside of the rituals. Hoy has since apologized, stating she meant no harm or offense. Today, Kim Vasquez, Director of the Institute of Creative Arts, shared her perspective, highlighting that as a melting pot of cultures, Belize’s diversity and inclusion mean we can embrace all aspects of our heritage without disrespect. 

 

Kim Vasquez, Director, Institute of Creative Arts

“I think when we look at Belize, we have to really reflect on the fact that we are very diverse. We’re blessed. We have a wealth of different ethnicities, and as we move forward, you are going to see that culture continues to be dynamic. Culture is alive at NICH we talk about living heritage. We don’t have any control over that. Culture, like I said, is alive. And it’s hard to really say you are appropriating what is yours? You know, like I said, if you look at some of our backgrounds, we are a mixture. Many of us, most of us – few of us can say, I am a hundred percent Garifuna, or I am a hundred percent, Maya. We share and we appreciate, and we elevate, but I don’t know if we are actively trying to or even intending to appropriate because it is Belizean.”