Haitians Embracing Belizean Kulcha

Haitian nationals often make headlines in Belize due to migration issues, which sometimes cast them in a negative light. However, many Haitians have lived in Belize for decades, making this country their home. They fled their impoverished homeland in search of a better life and have since established families and integrated into Belize’s vibrant culture. News Five’s Paul Lopez sat down with one such individual, a Haitian taxi driver who has been living in Belize since 1983. He loves Punta music, enjoys rice and beans, and takes pride in earning his living honestly. Join us for tonight’s installment of Kolcha Tuesday as we take a taxi ride-along with him.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Belize is home to a significant number of Haitian nationals who fled their impoverished communities in Haiti in search of a better life. Many have found work as security guards or taxi drivers, like sixty-nine-year-old Milson Lature. He first arrived in Belize in 1983 and has been part of the community ever since.

 

Milson Lature, Taxi Driver

“I have a friend here that told me to come take a walk and visit Belize City. You know when people are young, they need to see somewhere, some different place.”

Haiti has faced revolts and political turmoil since the late 1700s. Over the last two centuries, natural disasters have further plunged the population into poverty. Now, strict migration policies have been imposed on Haitian nationals by the Belize government, influenced by pressure from the U.S. Despite these challenges, Milson Lature has never pursued the American dream. For over forty years, he has built his life in Belize, where he now has seven children and ten grandchildren, all born in Belize.

 

Milson Lature

“I will tell you the Belizean culture is a good culture. The change should be with the younger people, but Belize is a nice, beautiful country and it is nice and has good freedom. I complete to Belizean food, some Belizean cook good. Some, hmp, when you have the food, you can’t eat that. I miss Haiti food, you have food called mimule. It is made with corn. We have corn in Belize and not everybody know how to make it. Then you have legim. It is a beautiful food, but I can’t find somebody that could make it nice and good.”

 

Lature hasn’t visited his homeland since he arrived in Belize forty years ago. The last time he heard from his relatives in Haiti was three years ago. Over the years, he has fully embraced Belizean culture, developing a deep appreciation for the food, music, and people.

 

Milson Lature

“What I tell you, when in Haiti, when you hear the music, all the gial deh punta. We have everything and we have soul to, when you have the soul. When we have the soul, nobody moves, everybody just the wine.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What kind of music you enjoy in Belize?”

 

Milson Lature

“I like the Punta, I like the Garifuna music.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Do you know how to Punta now?”

 

Milson Lature

“I know how to Punta. I love them. And when you say Garifuna people you will be treated with love, good love. Garifuna food is nice. When you have a Garifuna young lady you will eat good. They cook and village people cook. City people you have to go to shop. You know what me call them, foam plate.”

 

Lature’s white minivan may be worn and in need of new shocks, but it’s his livelihood. He has earned a stellar reputation among his customers, who describe him as reliable, affordable, and friendly. We spoke with a few of them to hear their thoughts.

 

Voice of: Taxi Customer #1

“Well there is never a dull moment, he is always interactive, always on time, and you can call him anytime of the day, night and he is coming.”

Voice of: Taxi Customer #2

“I notice that he is very reliable and stuff so I call him like almost everyday, sometimes two three times and I don’t matter if it is in the night, he will come for you. And I was just saying, mein he doesn’t sleep, because anytime of the day he is coming for you.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What is your thoughts on Haitians coming to Belize and integrating themselves into society?”

 

Taxi Customer #2

“I don’t have a problem with it, because everybody deserves to make a better life for themselves.”

 

To the casual observer, Milson Lature might seem like just another Haitian taxi driver in Belize. But to those who know him and his service, he’s seen as a cheerful and respectable man from a country a thousand miles away, who has truly immersed himself in Belizean culture. Despite his new life, the struggles of his people in Haiti are always on his mind.

 

Milson Lature

“I want freedom and in Belize I can go anywhere. There is no bad boys in Belize. Bad boy the hide behind fence, if you are bad boys, you suppose to walk free. I try not to have problems with anyone.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez