By Aaron Humes: The Leader of the Opposition Tracy Taegar-Panton and the United Democratic Party have congratulated the people of Gales Point, Belize District and the wider Kriol community on today’s designation of the Christmas Bram/Sambai tradition on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The UDP pays special tribute to the late Myrna Manzanares, who it said “dedicated her life to preserving and promoting Kriol culture, and to her mother, Iris Abraham, whose commitment and advocacy ensured that these traditions remained alive and celebrated. Their legacy has now been permanently etched into the cultural record of humanity.”
According to the party, “This historic recognition affirms the richness, resilience, and global significance of Belize’s Kriol heritage. It is a proud moment for our nation, as these vibrant cultural expressions, rooted in community, memory, and identity, take their rightful place among the world’s treasured cultural traditions. This UNESCO inscription is not only a cultural achievement but also an opportunity for Belize to strengthen cultural preservation, support heritage-based livelihoods, and empower communities like Gales Point that have long safeguarded these traditions with love and pride.”