Christmas Bram and Sambai of Gales Point Manatee, Belize
Inscribed in 2025 (20.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
The Christmas Bram and Sambai are annual cultural celebrations held on 25 and 26 December in the Gales Point Manatee Village, located on a peninsula inside Southern Lagoon on the central coast of Belize. Deeply rooted in African heritage, these festivities promote unity and a shared sense of identity within the practising community. The Bram begins with participants singing and dancing in a call-and-response style as they travel from house to house, accompanied by locally made instruments such as the ‘Gumbay’ and ‘Sambai’ drums. Hosts offer food and drinks to welcome the dancers. The Bram procession departs from the northern point of the peninsula on Christmas Day and finishes at the southern end, reversing direction on Boxing Day.
The Sambai dance, which was once associated with crop planting and courtship, takes place at night, with participants dancing around a bonfire. During the event, drummers and singers perform traditional and modern songs that address social issues. The festivities end with a circle dance that symbolizes peace and unity. Men lead the drumming and instrument making, while women transmit songs and dances and raise awareness about the tradition. The related knowledge and skills are transmitted primarily through observation. The celebrations strengthen community bonds and cultural identity. They also connect the past with the present and help mitigate risks associated with development and globalization.
