The Guerra Social Maya, more commonly known as the Caste War, is one of the most important historical events in Belizean history. Even so, the Caste War is ignored in Belizean schools.
How can this historical event so important, which lasted over 80 years of armed conflict (1847-1930’s), saw over 50,000 die, many villages burnt down and people displaced, be forgotten? Today in Corozal and Orange Walk you can still find people who can tell you stories from the Caste War which were told to them by their grandparents. During this war, borders were created, the Maya gained their freedom and the face of northern Belize was changed forever.
The British and people of colonial mentality tried their best to bury this part of history or make us feel that the Caste War happened just in Mexico. It was not the first time the Maya of northern Belize had to fight and defend their homes. The war started since the Spanish came. Lord Nachan Can of Chactemal (today Corozal) and the Maya defended our people.
For over 200 years the Maya defended Belize and were independent from Spanish control until the British came. When they talk of the Maya struggle in Northern Belize, most of the time all that is mentioned is the battle in Orange Walk and Marcos Canul’s death.
Our Maya struggle during that period was more than just that. December 21, 1866 our Maya Masewal grandparents defeated the British in the Yalbac area. This event is known as the Battle of San Pedro Yalbac. Our grandparents stood up against one of the most powerful empires during that period. The British got so afraid of the Maya, they almost left Belize. Obviously it is not celebrated; it is not a holiday or even taught in schools.
The Icaiche Maya were a group of Yucatec Maya (Maya Masewal) whose territory included part of northwestern Belize and southern Mexico. The Battle of San Pedro Yalbac happened in the village of San Pedro Siris in northwestern Belize. The Maya leaders on that battle were Asuncion Ek and Marcos Canul. The northwestern Belize was under the control of the Yucatec Maya and the British wanted the area to expand their logwood operations. So the British asked for more reinforcements and went to destroy villages in the area. In 1867 the British burned down several Yucatec Maya villages in the Yalbac area like San Pedro Siris, Chunbal Che, Santa Teresa, San Jose Yalbac, Naranjal, Cerro, Santa Cruz and others. Many Maya families moved to San Felipe, Guinea Grass, Santa Cruz, San Estevan, San Roman and Rio Hondo in Orange Walk. Also some Maya families moved to Santa Familia, Benque Viejo, San Antonio Cayo and others in the Cayo District.
The Maya continued fighting. The last group of Yucatec Maya stayed in the village of San Jose Yalbac, which was burned down by the BEC, in the 1930’s. Those Maya moved to San Jose Nuevo Palmar in Orange Walk. During and after the Caste War another Yucatec Maya group came to Belize known as the Cruzob Maya, who settled in Xaibe (CZL), San Narciso (CZL), San Pablo/San Jose (OW), Bullet Tree Falls (Cayo), Patchakan (CZL), Cristo Rey (CZL), and others. These Maya groups make up the modern Yucatec Maya in Belize. Many became cane farmers and their struggle continues.
In Northern Belize there have always been those Maya who continue to celebrate Marcos Canul, the Caste War and the Battle of San Pedro Yalbac, because we know that thanks to the struggle of our grandparents they have freedom and dignity. A freedom which was denied to us for over 300 years until our grandparents rose in 1847. Why is it important to celebrate the Battle of San Pedro Yalbac? Because it is part of Belizean history. It is part of what makes us Belizeans also. Today most of the people of Northern Belize are from Yucatec Maya descent, or as some call it, “Maya Masewal or Maya Mestizo,” which is the same thing. They still they do not know their history. Knowing your history is knowing yourself.
Ki’imak ba’atetaanbal ti San Pedro Yalbac!!! Happy Battle of San Pedro Yalbac, Belize!!! Y viva Belize!!! We are the Maya of Northern Belize, rebeldes por siempre.
Andy Chuc