Migrating from Switzerland and the Netherlands in 1790, to Prussia, South Russia, Canada, the United States of America, and Mexico, the Mennonite finally settled in Belize in 1958. Under agreement with the government of Belize they bore all expenses of removal and settling, bringing with them capital amounting to one million dollars. They are exempted from military service, and although they pay all other taxes they do not partake in any form of compulsory or social welfare schemes.

Initially, some 3,500 Canadian Mennonite arrived in Belize, and today form communities in Blue Creek, Shipyard, Indian Creek, Richmond Hill in the Orange Walk district. In the Cayo District their communities are Spanish Lookout and Barton Creek; and Little Belize in the Corozal district.

Comprising 3.6 percent of the population, they have made a point to have their own school, church and financial institutions. The Mennonite of Canadian origin speak English, although among themselves they use the original Low German. The younger generation who were born in Mexico speak Spanish.

With their tradition of farming the Mennonite are well grounded in agriculture. Practicing organic farming, they grow a large variety of crops; and are as well involved in cattle, dairy products, poultry, and feed farming. Those in Shipyard are skilled carpenters, while the Blue Creek residents are adept in building construction, including roads and bridges.

Clothing- The Mennonites have worn the same style of clothing since their arrival in Belize. The men wear button-down shirts with suspenders and dark trousers, while the women wear brightly colored dresses and wide brimmed hats with bright ribbons.

Food-Most Mennonites have adapted the eating habits and food selections from the countries which they migrated from. Their food are usually grown by them and eaten at particular times of the day. At 6  a.m. breakfast is served which usually consists of bread, which is baked weekly and coffee, lunch time is at 10 a.m, consisting of rice, red kidney beans, and sometimes pork. A snack called faspa, which is chocolate spread on bread or cake is eaten at 2 p.m. Supper, which is the last meal of the day, is eaten at 6:30 p.m. and consisting of borscht or chicken soup with noodles. Prayers are said at the beginning and ending of each meal.

Beliefs-Some older traditional Mennonites maintain a strong belief in the use of horse and wagon as a means of transportation. It is belief that the horse was put on earth to work, and that motorized vehicle was simply a part of man’s vanity.

Reference: Different Faces in Belize, Vertical Files-Ethnic groups of Belize, Cultural Groups of Belize