Belize: 5 New Year's Eve Traditions Belizeans Carry Out for Good Luck

It's almost 2023, and countries around the world are preparing to welcome the new year. One of them is Belize, which boasts some unique New Year's Eve traditions and rituals for good luck.

While the Central American country has some similarities in how they celebrate the New Year with other former Spanish colonies, Belize does it with its own unique flair.

5 Unique New Year's Eve Traditions in Belize

There are many unique traditions and rituals in Belize when it comes to New Year celebrations. And we have listed five of them. Here they are:

Money Inside Pockets When the Clock Strikes Midnight

Belizeans have this tradition of ensuring they have money in their pockets when the New Year arrives. They believe that having money inside their pockets when the clock strikes midnight ensures that they will be financially stable that year, according to My Beautiful Belize.

Wearing Red Underwear

This tradition may not be unique to the country, but many practices this. According to Cahal Pech, this tradition has already been adopted by people in other cultures in Belize, such as Creole, Spanish, Honduran, and more.

This belief is prevalent among single people. If they want to find love, when the clock strikes midnight in the New Year, singles must wear red underwear as good luck to find themselves a good partner.

If you are unlucky in love, people in Belize believe wearing red undergarments in the New Year may turn your love luck around.

Eating 12 Grapes at Midnight

If you want 12 wishes granted, you must eat 12 grapes when the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve. This act signifies a wish a person makes for each of the 12 months of the year, so if an individual wants a wish granted, the person should eat a dozen grapes.

The Spaniards originally introduced this tradition, and it has been practiced in Belize ever since. Other former Spanish colonies practice this tradition as well.

Walking With a Suitcase

Many Belizeans believe walking in a circle with a suitcase around the block or your home will attract travel opportunities for the incoming year.

Eating Ham, Black Cake, and Rum Popo

Belizeans always have a traditional feast whenever the New Year comes around, and these traditional foods include ham.

According to Travel Belize, this is usually roasted in an oven and spiced up with cloves, honey, mustard, brown sugar, and a slew of other ingredients. It is often the star of any holiday feast in Belize.

They also serve other local dishes like tamales and a creamy porridge called Sahou. As for dessert, Belizeans often love to greet the New Year with Black Cake.

It's a festive holiday fruit cake with plenty of caramel and dried fruits soaked in wine. They also pair this boozy cake with Rum Popo, Belize's answer to eggnog that is thick, creamy, and filled with rum.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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