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Gales Point Manatee’s Krismos Bram and Sambai has been inscribed into the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The decision was taken with no objection just after five o’clock local time in New Delhi, India, during the 20th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee (20.COM) meeting. It marks a historic cultural achievement for Belize as indicated by the Belize delegation in the acceptance remarks.
The inscription recognizes the annual Krismos Bram and Sambai celebrations held on December 25 and 26 in Gales Point Manatee Village. Rooted in African heritage, the traditions promote community unity and a strong shared sense of identity while ensuring the intergenerational transmission of cultural knowledge. The Krismos Bram begins with celebrants moving from house to house in vibrant call-and-response singing and dancing, accompanied by locally crafted instruments, including the Gumbay and Sambai drums. Families along the route welcome participants with food and drinks. The procession starts at the northern end of the peninsula on Christmas Day and completes the journey at the southern end, reversing direction on Boxing Day. The Sambai dance, traditionally associated with crop planting and courtship, takes place at night around a bonfire. Drummers and singers perform traditional and modern songs that often address community experiences and social issues. UNESCO highlighted that these celebrations strengthen community bonds, reinforce cultural identity, connect past and present generations, and help mitigate risks associated with modernization and globalization.
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