Belize Jade Head - The Maya Sun God - Kinich Ahau displayed for one day only at the Musuem of Belize

By: Will Moreno
2/16/2012

On February 15th, 2011, for one day only, The Museum of Belize (NICH) offered the general public a rare glimpse into the past by showcasing a magnificent and unique Maya Artifact that is near and dear to the nation of Belize and its people, the Jade Head of the Sun God, Kinich Ahau.

Unedited for purpose of realism of color and tones
Photos by: Will Moreno

The Belize Maya Jade Head of the Maya Sun God (Kinich Ahau) was removed from the vault and its casing from an undisclosed location to see the light of day once again in Belize. Many proud Belizeans including school children, as well as, cruise tour visitors lined up at the Museum of Belize to share a rare glimpse of this beautiful Maya Jade Head and Jewel of Belize.

It was a truly inspiring and amazing experience to work alongside the Museum of Belize (NICH) as the Jade Head of Kinich Ahau was unveiled to the public. Capturing images of visitors and the beautiful Maya artifact is an experience I will hold near and dear to my heart. Standing there capturing the images had me wondering what if this silent, yet so beautiful Maya Jade Head of Belize could speak. I can just imagine the wonderful stories of the life of the Maya that it would tell!

The famous Maya Jade head was discovered in 1968 by Dr. David Pendergast of the Royal Ontario Museum of Canada and several of his Belizean workers that were working at the Maya site of Altun Ha in Belize. The Maya Ruin of Altun Ha is conveniently located 31 miles north of Belize City off the old northern highway.

The Jade Head along with forty other objects were found in a large tomb that was located located just below the stair block on the Temple of The Masonry Altars (Structure B4). The roof of the tomb had already collapsed from the growth of the roots of trees growing at the site and penetrating the tomb. The tomb contained the remains of a elderly adult male, who was likely an important ruler of the famous Maya site during his time.  Although the exact date the Jade Head was carved is unknown the analysis of the cultural remains found in the tomb dates back to somewhere around 600 and 650 A.D.  It is believed that the Maya took months maybe even years to create such a significant jade masterpiece using the primitive carving tools of their time. The Maya Ruler may have commissioned an artist to to produce the Jade Head to commemorate the important events of his life and his time as ruler of the site. The Jade Head may have also been passed down from generation to generation finally ending up in this Maya ruler's tomb due to his importance.

This, not only beautiful, but also remarkable piece of Maya artwork, is significant because its the only one ever found in the Mundo Maya. It was carved from one solid piece of jade which was the most precious of stones to the Maya. According to the studies done on the Jade Head, it is believed that the large piece of jade that was used to carve this Maya masterpiece came from the Motagua River Valley area in Guatemala.

Weighing only 9.75 pounds and measuring 5.86 inches high, the magnificent Maya Jade Head of Kinich Ahau, The Maya Sun God has a marbled effect and resembles that beautiful green hue of the Caribbean Sea that caresses the shores of Belize. This is truly a Jewel of the Mayas and a Jewel of Belize. It is a sight to behold!

For more images of the wonderful experience you can check with the Museum of Belize (NICH) or Will Moreno

Updated Results of the Belize Female Junior Volleyball Team for matches played over the weekend

PRESS RELEASE

August 8^th, 2011

THE CENTRAL AMERICAN FEMALE U-18 VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

The Belize Female Junior Volleyball Team took on #1 ranked and host country, Costa Rica, last Friday night.  Our girls started each set strong but Costa Rica would show its experience and height superiority winning in 3 sets, 25-13, 25-09, 25-21.  Analisa Habet was high scorer for Belize with 6 points and Clara Sabal with 5 points.  Costa Rica is the oldest team averaging 16.8 years old while Belize is a whole year younger than the next youngest team averaging 15.1 years old.

On Saturday evening, the Belize girls took on Nicaragua but after the emotional effort of the night before, played flat and lost 25-12, 25-10, 25-15.  Analisa Habet and Clara Sabal scored 8 and 6 points respectively.

Yesterday, the girls took on Guatemala, the only team expected to challenge Costa Rica and again the girls were competitive at the start of the sets but lost 25-13, 25-17, 25-11.  Analisa Habet was high scorer for Belize with 4 points.

At half way through the tournament, Belize’s 14 year old Sherika Burton is 3^rd best blocker.

Today, Belize plays Honduras at 6 pm.  The game can be seen live at www.livestream.com.

If you require additional details please contact us.  You can also find more results at:
http://www.afecavol.org/webpage/S20CRC11.aspx

Belize Volleyball Association

P.O. Box 1839, 1 Hyde’s Lane,
Belize City, Belize
Tel: (501) 223-1725/02
Fax: (501) 223-0738/3533
Email: BelizeVB@yahoo.com
Website: www.belizevolleyball.org

Team Belize Departed Today for Costa Rica to Play in the Central American U-18 Volleyball Championship

PRESS RELEASE

August 3^rd, 2011

THE CENTRAL AMERICAN FEMALE U-18 VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP – Belize Team departs for Costa Rica

The Belize Female U-18 departed today for Costa Rica to participate in the XIV Central American Female Junior Volleyball Championship.  The Belize Volleyball Association is proud to announce the team members:

Analisa Habet (as the Captain)                        Kaitlyn Woods (as the Libero)

Sherika Burton                                                 Kadijah Broaster
Nandi Sabal                                                     Nayala Tun
Leandra Betson                                                Xiomara Quan
Alina Scott                                                       Briany Staine
Kevanna Sebastian                                          Jahshema Sauders

The coaching staff is headed by Ms. Lupita Quan and assisted by Ms. Sherlene Johnson.  The team manager is Ms. Rosanni Pariente and Mr. Ken Vasquez is the physiotherapist.

The tournament is one round robin.  Matches start on Friday 5^th, with Belize taking on #1 ranked Costa Rica at 8pm, immediately following the inauguration. Then Belize plays Saturday at 6pm vs. Nicaragua, Sunday at 4 pm vs Guatemala, Monday at 6 pm vs Honduras, Tuesday at 4 pm vs El Salvador and return home next Wednesday.  The results and photos will be posted (and possibly streamed live) at www.afecavol.org.

The BVA is grateful to its sponsors in providing the training requirements, uniforms, and travel for the team.  We wish Team Belize a very successful tournament and look forward to the good results.

Belize Volleyball Association

P.O. Box 1839, 1 Hyde’s Lane,

Belize City, Belize

Tel: (501) 223-1725

Fax: (501) 223-0738

Email: BelizeVB@yahoo.com

Website: www.belizevolleyball.org

Belize Hosted the 2011 Central American Beach Volleyball Championships

It was that time of year again when Central American countries sent their male and female beach volleyball teams to represent their pride and glory. The Belize Volleyball Association was host this past weekend to this years XI Central American Beach Volleyball Championships.

The venue for this years beach volleyball event was the Marion Jones Sporting Complex with 2 brand new beach volleyball courts. The sun was out the sand was ready as the beach volleyball fans were in attendance to support their teams.

The teams that were known as a dominant force going into this years volleyball competition in the female division was El Salvador and Guatemala and in the male division was Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

The beach volleyball teams were fully prepared to take on the task of representing their home countries which included Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica and El Salvador.

Beach Volleyball excitement began on Friday the 22nd of July and continued through Sunday the 24th with teams battling for this years Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. The fans roared as the players concentrated on every service, reception, set, spike, block and dig. There were some real nailbiting games where teams rallied back and forth set after set.

In the end there could only be one one team victorious for the gold, silver and bronze in both the mens and womens beach volleyball divisions.

For more photos of the 2011 Central American Beach Volleyball Championships you may visit the facebook page of the photographer, Will Moreno.

Final Results of the Central American Beach Volleyball Championships!

Mens Division:
Costa Rica - Gold Medal, Gatemala - Silver Medal, Nicaragua 1 - Bronze Medal.

Female Division:
Costa Rica - Gold Medal, Guatemala 1 - Silver Medal, Guatemala 2 - Bronze Medal.

The Teams and Players for the 2011 Central American Beach Volleyball Championships

Male Division:
Belize 1 - Arvid Arnold and Ernest Broaster
Belize 2 - Tico Requena and Juan Marin

Guatemala - Andy Leonardo Blanco and Erick Garrido Ruiz

El Salvador 1 - Jeovanny Medrano Valle and David Vargas Correa
El Slavador 2 - Carlos Leiva Mata and Carlos Escobar Talavera

Nicaragua 1 - Gerald Lopez Umana and Danny Alvarado Lopez
Nicaragua 2 - Winston Calderon Urbina and Francisco Castro

Honduras - Walter Montoya Sanchez and Ruben Miller
Costa Rica - Esteban Escobar and Bryan Monge
Female Division:
Belize 1 - Barbara Cadle and Jasmine Anderson
Belize 2  - Emma Hoare and Rebecca Rath

Guatemala 1 - Susana Gomez Alvarado and Anna Lourdes Ramirez Sarti
Guatemala 2 - Maria Jose Arrelana Aragon and Ruth Guzman Gomez

El Salvador 1 - Diana Romero De Leiva and Marcela Avalos Pineda
El Salvador 2 - Kathya Vasquez Menjivar and Ma Fenanda Vargas Claros

Costa Rica - Ingrid Morales Munoz and Natalia Alfaro Paniagua

Belize - Paradise has been found in Central America and the Caribbean

Have you ever wondered what paradise looks like? Do you like to look at breathtaking views? Have you ever wondered what it feels like to walk in the past? Do you want to experience Central American and Caribbean culture and cuisines at its very best? Are you looking for adventure? Are you looking for your getaway location? You can find all this and more in Belize with the help of Platinum International Real Estate and Investments who is dedicated to effectively marketing and selling the finest selection of properties in Belize in all price ranges. Platinum International Real Estate is a full serice real estate company whose agents cover the entire country of Belize to include: Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize, Belmopan, Cayo, Stann Creek, Toledo and the island communities of San Pedro-Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Turneffe, St. George's Caye among many other areas around Belize around.

Belize is a small, unspoiled Central American country located on the Western Caribbean coast nestled between Mexico and Guatemala and kissed on her shores by the jeweled waters of the Caribbean Sea. Belize is fast becoming a world renowned destination for tourists and international investors alike. Belize is considered by many of our local and international real estate clients to be the most beautiful and undiscovered spot ideal for vacation and retirement that allows them to enjoy the unique cultural diversity of a Latin American as well as a Caribbean Country, or a place to call HOME. Belize is the ONLY English speaking Central American country due to the historical influences of the British Buccaneers and Colonialists that settled in the country for over a century. It is home to a multi-cultural society made up of Creole, Mestizo, East Indian, Chinese, Lebanese, Garifuna, Maya, and Mennonites just to name a few. Belize's population of approximately 300,000 is a diverse cultural mix of languages and ethnic groups. It is a country rich in culture and tradition and rooted in common beliefs of working together for a strong economy. The Belizean people are very friendly and a simple hello and smile is given everywhere you go no matter who you are or what you do.

Belize consists of approximately 8,866 square miles of land mass and is dotted with 266 square miles of offshore islands. This juxtaposition offers a unique perspective that appeals to everyone from the eco-tourist to the avid water sportsman. People that visit Belize keep coming back to immerse themselves in the rich cultural diversity and the well preserved forests and barrier reef that we call paradise. People enjoy soaking in the cool azure Caribbean waters; taking day trips to its world renowned fishing grounds; snorkeling preservation sites; diving the Great Blue Hole and surrounding waters or taking a hike in the lush protected rain forests that keep the country so serene and steeped in nature. Spelunkers also enjoy the challenge and privilege of being among the few to explore our vast networks of cave systems many of which remain untouched and unexplored. Belize is known for its high concentration of Mayan Temples and meandering rivers - not to mention the exotic wildlife and pristine tropical forests. Inland Belize is a treasure trove of Mayan archaeological temples and ceremonial sites, some of which have remained undiscovered in the jungles for hundreds if not thousands of years. Belize can boast to having the largest unbroken barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere that is also a World Heritage Site, the largest interconnected Cave System in Central America, the only Jaguar Reserve in the entire world, and more than 500 species of birds guaranteed to intrigue bird watchers or nature lovers alike. Belize truly is an Adventurer's Paradise. The pristine offshore waters of Belize nurture the beautiful crystalline white sandy beaches and is the natural habitat of a wide and diverse marine life ecosystem. Divers, snorkelers, marine biologists, and fishermen have come to recognize Belize as one of the best water-sport destinations in the world. Belize is also praised for its dedication to conservation and preservation of the natural environment.

The preservation of such beautiful places in Belize is essential for generations to enjoy even after we move on and leave our legacy behind.

To learn more about Belize, CLICK HERE.

Photos have been used with permission from Olivera Rusu Photography.
To look at some of the magnificent photos, CLICK HERE.