Ship Yard is a village in the Orange Walk district in Belize , it is also called the Mennonite colony. It was founded in 1958. Most of the population is ethnic Mennonite. They live in a very integrated society, they work as carpenters, farmers, mechanics. Most of them have a traditional way of life, they still use a horse and a stroller for transportation and tractors with steel wheels.
Mennonites - local people
The Mennonites are a Christian group belonging to the Anabaptist church communities. There was a denomination in the Netherlands in the 16th century. Because of their radicalism, they were persecuted by various Catholic and Protestant states, although they are known for their adherence to pacifism. Instead of fighting, they survived by fleeing to other countries. Thus, some of the Mennonites found themselves in Belize.
Description of the village
The settlement covers 0.07 square kilometers. km., which housed 26 camps. In 2004 there were 2,644 residents. They refrain from using modern agricultural equipment. In the fields, villagers use tractors with steel wheels, since rubber tires are prohibited. They also have a strict code of clothing, which makes them very noticeable outside the living environment. The Mennonites look like this: men in dark trousers with suspenders and in straw hats, and women in conservative long checkered dresses and hats.
The Mennonites signed a special agreement with the government of Belize, which exempts them from military service and some forms of taxation and guarantees them complete freedom to practice their religion within their closed communities.
The settlement lives at the expense of agriculture. The land here is flat, arable lands alternate with pastures. The main crops grown are sorghum, corn and rice. Also produced are tomatoes, melons, cucumbers, sweet peppers. Another source of income is livestock.
How to get there?
Ship-Yard is in the north-west of Belize . Through the city do not go through large motorways, but 25 km from it passes the Northern Hwy road. It is through it you can get to the Ship Yard. Having reached the city of Carmelita, you must turn north and follow the directions. They will lead you to a small town.