East Indian Community in Belize

• Belize is located in Central America, bordered by Mexico in the North and Guatemala in the West and South
• Belize has a mélange of over ten different cultures which are concentrated in specific areas in the six districts
• Belize is the only country in Central America that has a significant East Indian (Indian)/South Asian community comprising four percent (7,000 persons) of the multi-ethnic population
• After the abolition of African slavery, Indians went to Belize to provide an alternate source of labour in the sugarcane, banana and lumber industries
• Unlike any other Caribbean country, Belize experienced three waves of Indian migration, commencing in 1858
• The first wave of migrants consisted of 1000 deported ex soldiers (and their families) who had rebelled against the British Government in India’s First War of Independence/ Sepoy Rebellion
• The second wave of Indians went to Belize in 1872 as ex-indentured workers from Jamaica
• The third wave of Indian migrants to Belize came from Guatemala, from where they had gone to work in the coffee plantations in Cafe Mountains
• East Indians first settled in Queen Charlotte Street in Belize City to work in the nearby sugar and lumber industries
• After the two hurricanes in 1931, and 1961, Indian survivors moved to Yarborough and Belmopan
• In Corozal District in northern Belize, they resided in sugarcane estates [ranchos] such as Calcutta, San Andres, San Antonio, Estrella, Carolina and Ranchito
• In Toledo District in the south, they lived in Cattle Landing, West Morland, Fairview, Mount Royal,Jacintoville, Mafredi and Forest Home
• Belize evolved into an ethnically-diverse society and the 2000 government census reveals that Mestizo/ Spanish represented 48% of the total population, (African) Creole was 25% of the total, Garifuna 6%, Mennonite 4%, and the three Maya groups comprised: Yucatec 1%, Mopan 4%, and Ketchi 5%, and Caucasian 1%. East Indians comprise about 7,000 persons (4%). Most of these ethnic groups are concentrated in specific areas in Belize.

Explore the history and settlement of the East Indian community in Belize, including their migration waves, settlement areas, and contribution to the diverse ethnic makeup of the country. Learn about their significant presence in specific industries and geographic locations.