State Sanctioned Cultural Heritage and Maya Self-Determination

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Abstract/Artist Statement

As a diverse young nation, postcolonial Belize has been forging its national identity to ensure unity amongst its multi-ethnic citizenry. Belize uses and commodifies Maya heritage as a tool for mobilizing a shared national identity and increasing their economic prosperity through tourism. This has caused the state to create cultural resource management laws and practices that have placed limitations on the indigenous Maya population’s access to the archaeological sites of their ancestors. The Maya are often seen only as citizens of the state, and not as those belonging to sovereign entity. Due to this, Maya peoples have to pay to access their own pre-Columbian cultural heritage sites, just like anyone else, as all archaeological sites are property of the government. Fueled by the burgeoning global economy of heritage tourism the question of indigenous ownership of ancestral sites is complicated by the massive amount of foreign exchange flowing into the country because of those sites. Examining a case study from the southern Toledo district, shows that Maya populations are challenging the state for the right own and freely access their archaeological sites. This case study engages the complexity of issues of when indigenous heritage clashes with national identity and interests. The outcome has the possibility of changing heritage management practices in Belize.

Mentor Name

John Douglas

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Feb 22nd, 2:30 PM Feb 22nd, 2:45 PM

State Sanctioned Cultural Heritage and Maya Self-Determination

UC 332

As a diverse young nation, postcolonial Belize has been forging its national identity to ensure unity amongst its multi-ethnic citizenry. Belize uses and commodifies Maya heritage as a tool for mobilizing a shared national identity and increasing their economic prosperity through tourism. This has caused the state to create cultural resource management laws and practices that have placed limitations on the indigenous Maya population’s access to the archaeological sites of their ancestors. The Maya are often seen only as citizens of the state, and not as those belonging to sovereign entity. Due to this, Maya peoples have to pay to access their own pre-Columbian cultural heritage sites, just like anyone else, as all archaeological sites are property of the government. Fueled by the burgeoning global economy of heritage tourism the question of indigenous ownership of ancestral sites is complicated by the massive amount of foreign exchange flowing into the country because of those sites. Examining a case study from the southern Toledo district, shows that Maya populations are challenging the state for the right own and freely access their archaeological sites. This case study engages the complexity of issues of when indigenous heritage clashes with national identity and interests. The outcome has the possibility of changing heritage management practices in Belize.