The vibrant cultural traditions of Gales Point Manatee village in Belize have achieved global recognition as UNESCO officially inscribed the community’s Krismos Bram and Sambai practices on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The announcement emerged from the 20th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee convening in New Delhi, India on December 9, 2025.
This prestigious designation celebrates generations of cultural preservation through distinctive musical and dance traditions that form the community’s cultural heartbeat. The Krismos Bram and Sambai represent more than artistic expression—they serve as living connections to ancestral heritage, bringing together villagers and diaspora members annually for communal celebrations featuring traditional food, drink, and house-to-house dancing.
Rolando Cocom, Director of the Institute for Social and Cultural Research, described the recognition as “a remarkable day for our communities to celebrate and enjoy the shared culture we have in Belize.” He emphasized that “the international community agreed with us that the living heritage of the Manatee Village is part of the shared human culture that we should all share and protect.”
Selene Solis of the National Kriol Council highlighted the significance for the small community, noting the designation “elevates the visibility of this cultural event and brings visibility to a small community that isn’t often seen.” She added that the recognition affirms that “our Belize, our Gales Point, our Krismos Bram, and our Sambai have universal value” and represent “pillars of safeguarding” for future generations.
The UNESCO acknowledgment validates decades of dedication by Gales Point families, elders, and cultural leaders who have maintained these traditions against modernization pressures, ensuring their continuity as pillars of Belizean cultural identity.