Indians in Belize
Encyclopedia
Asian Indians
comprise approximately 2% of the population and began arriving in Belize
in the 1880s. Initially coming in as indentured, many of them stayed on to work the sugar plantations and were joined by other Indian immigrants. Indians
are spread out over many villages and towns primarily in the Corozal and Toledo districts and live in reasonably compact rural communities. They are fairly well integrated into the Belizean population through intermarriage. However, they are still identifiable through their physiognomy and are known as 'Hindus'.
A more recent migration ensued in the 1950s, when Belize was still a British colony. Some Indians came to work or do business and subsequently invited their relatives and employees from India to join them. This community is composed almost entirely of Sindhis. They are mostly retail traders and have little interest in local politics, but their economic strength assures them an influential position in Belize.
The recent arrivals maintain frequently visited friends and relatives in India, and hence has strong relations to their ancestral home. Some visit to procure marriage partners for their children. Indian music and Hindi films are popular here and have been instrumental in nurturing friendly relations with other Belizeans.
Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent, also Indian Subcontinent, Indo-Pak Subcontinent or South Asian Subcontinent is a region of the Asian continent on the Indian tectonic plate from the Hindu Kush or Hindu Koh, Himalayas and including the Kuen Lun and Karakoram ranges, forming a land mass which extends...
comprise approximately 2% of the population and began arriving in Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
in the 1880s. Initially coming in as indentured, many of them stayed on to work the sugar plantations and were joined by other Indian immigrants. Indians
Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent, also Indian Subcontinent, Indo-Pak Subcontinent or South Asian Subcontinent is a region of the Asian continent on the Indian tectonic plate from the Hindu Kush or Hindu Koh, Himalayas and including the Kuen Lun and Karakoram ranges, forming a land mass which extends...
are spread out over many villages and towns primarily in the Corozal and Toledo districts and live in reasonably compact rural communities. They are fairly well integrated into the Belizean population through intermarriage. However, they are still identifiable through their physiognomy and are known as 'Hindus'.
A more recent migration ensued in the 1950s, when Belize was still a British colony. Some Indians came to work or do business and subsequently invited their relatives and employees from India to join them. This community is composed almost entirely of Sindhis. They are mostly retail traders and have little interest in local politics, but their economic strength assures them an influential position in Belize.
The recent arrivals maintain frequently visited friends and relatives in India, and hence has strong relations to their ancestral home. Some visit to procure marriage partners for their children. Indian music and Hindi films are popular here and have been instrumental in nurturing friendly relations with other Belizeans.