YOU can read and write Kriol

This is a transitional primer using simple pictures and exercises to teach those who are already literate to read and write Kriol. It is an excellent and inexpensive tool for teachers to use in the classroom, and for those who want to learn to read Kriol more fluently.

First published by the

Belize Kriol Project

in 2001; Third revised edition 2009.

Book: 28 pages with illustrations; 5.5 x 8.5 in.

 Local retail price: approx. $3.00

 Available in Belize City  from Bible Society Bookstore, National Kriol Council Office, Image Factory, Angelus Press, Brodies, and Handicraft Center

TRADITIONAL GAMES OF BELIZE Vol. 1

With this book, Myrna Manzanares brings back memories of the "good old days" with instructions for playing 14 childhood games. An audio CD is included in the book to demonstrate how to sing each of the chants used in the games. This delightful book will help teachers to pass down Kriol culture to students, and teach them important social skills as they have fun playing the games. Each games is illustrated with a photo of children playing the game.

Compiled by Myrna Manzanares; edited by members of the Belize Kriol Project.

Published by the

National Kriol Council

in 2006, supported by UNICEF.

Book: 38 pages with photos and CD; 8.5 x 11 in., bound

Local retail price: approx. $20.00

 Available from Bible Society Bookstore, National Kriol Council Office.

Why Kriol Children Should Read Kriol Books:

“The best medium for teaching a child is his mother tongue...” (UNESCO 1953 The Use of Vernacular Languages in Education. Monographs on Fundamental Education. No. 8 Paris. UNESCO)

 One well-known principle of reading is that material is easiest to read when it is familiar and  predictable. The easiest literature for a new reader is that written by a speaker of the language for his own people in his own language and culture.

 Because English is the language of the schools in Belize, it was decided to base the Kriol alphabet on the English alphabet. Any child who can read Kriol will also be able to read the English consonant symbols that are common to both languages. In addition, they will know at least one way to spell the English vowels.

 Every child deserves and needs books and stories in his own language and culture. With the wealth of Kriol folk tales already in existence, and with the propensity of  many Kriol speakers for telling a good story, the new phonetic Kriol alphabet has opened the door to a floodgate of Kriol literature.

 Reading a Kriol book will help a Belizean child concentrate on phonics, which is the foundation to fluent reading.  And reading books in his/her own language and culture will make reading enjoyable and even fun.

 [The NKC thanks Naomi Glock of SIL Lingusitics Group for the above information.]

CHRAVL BUK EENA KRIOL AHN INGLISH – Travel Book in Kriol and English

 This book contain common phrases used in Belize. It is a fun and useful book to give visitors to Belize, and for Belizeans themselves to enjoy.

 Composed by Naomi Glock; phrases translated by Stephanie Flores; edited by members of the Belize Kriol Project.

 Published by the  Belize Kriol Project in 2005.

Book: 105 pages with illustrations; 5.5 x 8.5 in., bound.

 Local retail price: approx. $10.00Available in Belize City  from Bible Society Bookstore, National Kriol Council Office, Angelus Press, Image Facotry, Brodies and National Handicraft Center

As well, the Belize Kriol Project has to date almost two dozen storybooks such as "Anansi Ton Wahn Oal Man, " "Wen Ah Mi-Di Groa Op," "Sohn Stoariz Fahn Krukid Chree," "Sohn Stoariz Fahn Galyz Pt. (Paat 1 + 2), and more! They are availble, in prices ranges of BZ $2.00 - $15 (US currency for shipping orders: - emial silvana@btl.net)

Sohn Stoariz Fahn Gaylz Pt. Manati Paat 2 [Some Stories from the village of Gales Point Manatee Part 2

This book contains a collection of 9 more stories recorded by literacy specialist Naomi Glock during a workshop in Gales Point.

English translation at the bottom of each page; illustrations by Michael Tang, 70 pages.

©Belize Kriol Project 2005

Avaliable at Angelus Press and Bible Society Bookstore, Belize City for approx. $8.00.

Sample page from Sohn Stoari Fahn Gaylz Pai

SAMPLE PAGE: Kriol is at the top, with English translation below:

Anansi Stories

The following notes are taken from an article by Richard Hadel in National Studies journal, Vol. 1, No. 1 from January, 1973.

Anansi stories were original came to Belize by slaves brought from Africa. Stories of Kweku Anansi are still told by the Ashanti people in Ghana. Similar stories with different heroes are told elsewhere around the Caribbean: Rabbit is the main character in the stories in the French West Indies, southern United States, and East Africa; in Nigeria Tortoise is the mischief-maker.

The phrase ‘Anansi story’ is used in Belize today to refer to any sort of folk tale. Even ‘true’ Anansi stories don’t necessarily include John Anansi as a character. Sometimes Anansi stories are used for ‘etiological’ purposes, that is to explain why as certain animal is as it is today. For example, a story may explain why spiders (Anansi) live in wood piles, or tigers live in the bush. In the days of slavery Anansi stories were told as a comfort to the slaves. They saw themselves like the powerless but clever Anansi, and hoped for times when they would have victory like Anansi over Tiger, who represented the slave-master.

The telling of Anansi stories is an important aspect of Caribbean cultures where high value is placed on the ability to use words and the ability to perform. A person who can argue well and use words as a means of performance is given high status. In previous times, most villages had several people who were noted as story-tellers. This was valued in rural villages where there was less access to entertainment and recreation.