Assad Shoman Launches Revised Edition of A History of Belize

One of Belize’s most respected historians has unveiled a newly revised edition of what many regard as the definitive account of the nation’s past. This morning, distinguished author, attorney and former diplomat Assad Shoman launched the Sapphire Edition of A History of Belize in 13 Chapters at The Angelus Press in Belize City. The updated publication brings Belize’s story into the present day while encouraging a new generation to engage with the country’s rich and complex history. Reporter Paul Diaz has the story.

For more than three decades “A history of Belize in 13 Chapters” has been regarded as one of the country’s most important historical works. This morning, that legacy continued as author Asaad Shoman officially launched the sapphire  edition of the book at the Angelus Press in Belize City. Educated, students, historians, members of the legal fraternity, and invited guests gathered for the launch of the updated publication which expands on Belize’s historical narrative with new chapters and revised content reflecting the country’s continued development. Originally published in the early 1990s, the book has become a staple in schools, colleges and universities, offering readers a comprehensive account of Belize’s journey from the ancient Mayan civilization through colonialism, independence and modern nationhood. Shoman says the sapphire edition ensures the history continues to evolve alongside the nation itself. 

Assad Shoman, Author: “The actual book is the same, so no changes there at all, right? We just put things on top of the book, right? The main thing is something I wrote as a sort of new introduction called “How to Read 13 Chapters”. And then we’ll have four other sections which are updating on four issues that are very important to Belize and that have seen a lot of movement in Belize since 2011, which was the last edition. And I got a lot of help in writing those. In fact, two of them are written completely the first one on the environment by Janelle Chanona, The second one on the economy by Victor Thomas who was also co-authored a book called Economic History of Belize which you’re probably familiar with. And then another one, which is on human rights, I got help from Darinca Mendez, especially on the issue of my land rights and from Ardelle Sabido, specifically on the Equal Opportunities Bill. And then the other updating section is on the Guatemalan claim to Belize. Because I felt over the years and listening to people and so on that they were maybe missing the overarching points that I tried to make and I didn’t try to ram it down people’s throats but I thought that they would get it just from the narrative, right, from the facts. But apparently did not. Such as for example, what is colonialism?”

Among the updates are expanded discussions on Belize’s constitutional political development, environmental issues, the country’s economy, human rights, and the Belize–Guatemalan territorial claim. The new edition also introduces a section titled “How to Read 13 Chapters.” encouraging readers to look beyond historical dates and events to better understand the broader forces that have shaped Belize. Attorney-at-law and human rights activist and former public officer and co-author Ardelle Sabido describes the publication as an enduring contribution to Belize’s national identity and educational development. 

Ardelle Sabido, Attorney, Co–author: “An extreme honour for me but to commemorate in our history a lot of the work that’s gone on since the turn of the millennium, since 2000. It talks about the evolution of our constitutional development in terms of actually giving Belizeans the rights that we were promised that independence in our constitution that was enshrined therein. Well it doesn’t actually call it a new addition. The thing is 13 chapters like you said is an iconic part of Belizean history in itself. The most interesting thing is that he didn’t actually tell me “write this thing for this book.” He said I am revising it and write a thing about human rights and about the work that you all did and how you see it and I thought it was just going to be for his reference. So I was a bit shocked and surprised but of course I feel terribly privileged to have been a part of it.”

Throughout his distinguished career, Shoman has served Belize as Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs, as one of the country’s leading voices on the Belize-Guatemalan territorial issues. Yet it is through his writing that many Belizeans have come to better understand the nation’s past. The sapphire edition not only updates historical events but also invites readers to reflect on how those events continue to sharpen Belize’s today.

Assad Shoman, Author:  “What I try to do is show it as a question of freedom. Okay, so we want freedom. And there are two major moments of freedom in Belize, if you want to put it that way. One is when we have freedom from slavery. So it was individuals becoming free, right? In 1838. And the second freedom in 1981, which was a whole people becoming free. But what does that mean really? So that after the 1838, the same people who had been enslaved before were forced to continue to work for the same slave masters for 100 years after. And the same people that became free from colonialism fell right into what we call neocolonialism, in this case mostly under the power of the United States of America. So I just thought it was necessary to bring that out more openly and more forcefully, that’s why I wrote that “how to read” the story is already there. But maybe you need something like an overarching philosophical framework, so to speak.”

 The sapphire edition of the Belize History of Thirteen Chapters is now available through the Angelus Press. Organizers hope the updated publication will continue to serve as an essential source for students, educators and anyone seeking to deeper understand the Belizean history and national development.