Between Horse & Buggy and Four-Wheel Drive

Between Horse & Buggy and Four-Wheel Drive

by Carel Roessingh and Tanja Plasil

This collection of ethnographic case studies offers insight into the daily lives of Mennonites in Belize, who first migrated from Canada and Mexico in 1958 and have since then been able to establish a strong and stable economic position despite the fact that most of their communities are quite isolated from the wider society. The studies explore the keystones of this religious community—strength in their Christian beliefs, agricultural skills, and a strong working ethos—as well as their ability to maintain a remarkable transnational network, which consists of Mennonite settlements and organizations in countries such as Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The book also details how this network along with their relationships with non-Mennonites have invoked both religious and social changes as well as resistance and disputes.