"Belizean Betty" Friday - Musical Duet

Belizean music is heavily influenced by the rhythm beats of Africa combined with the modern sounds found throughout Latin America, the Caribbean and North America.

The most popular Belizean music is the Punta, a mix of traditional Garifuna rhythms and modern electric instruments.

Belizeans not only listen to music, they have to move to it. It is not uncommon to find Belizeans dancing in the streets outside shops where music is blasting. 

"Brukdown" or (Bruckdong) a distinctive, original Belizean Kriol music began in the timber camps in the 1800's. The workers in the camps would be isolated from civiliation for months at a time; they let off steam by drinking bottles of rum and then beating on the bottles. Music is a key element of Belizean life.