Costa Rica's Indigenous Reserves

Huetar-Bribri-Cabecar-Guaymi-
Chorotega-Boruca-Guatuso-Terraba

  1. Guatuso Indian Reserve (Malekus)
  2. Matambu Indian Reserve
  3. Quitirrisí Indian Reserve
  4. Zapatón Indian Reserve
  5. Nairi-Awari (Barbilla)
  6. Chirripó Indian Reserve
  7. Bajo Chirripo Indian Reserve
  8. Guaymi / Osa Peninsula
  9. Guaymi / Conte Burica
  10. Guaymi / Coto Brus
  11. Guaymi / Abrojos Montezuma
  12. Curré Indian Reserve
  13. Boruca Indian Reserve
  14. Térraba Indian Reserve
  15. Ujarrás Indian Reserve
  16. Salitre Indian Reserve
  17. Cabagra Indian Reserve
  18. Tayní Indian Reserve
  19. Telire Indian Reserve
  20. Cabecar -Talamanca
  21. Bribri Talamanca
  22. Kekoldi Indian Reserves (Cocles)
Costa Rica's Indigenous Cultures

Although only 1% of the country's population—about 35,000 people— is considered aboriginal, most Costa Ricans are a mixture of European, Indian and Black ancestry.

Early indigenous civilizations

The Bribri/Cabecar have been able to preserve many aspects of their culture, especially their religion, despite influences from non-Indians. Their supreme god is called "Sibú,” creator of their universe.

Malekus (Guatusos), who live near the Arenal Volcano, are actively trying to conserve their language, as are several other indigenous groups. About 300 people now speak Maleku. Members of the Maleku tribe explain their culture to tourists who visit Lake Coter Eco Lodge. The Guaymí, who live near the border with Panama and move freely between the two countries, are easily identifiable by the colorful dresses worn by the women. Other indigenous groups wear Western clothing and are not easy for visitors to identify. Today, indigenous people mix freely with non-Indians, eat the same foods as other Costa Ricans, and enjoy the same TV programs. The Chorotega Indians, who had an advanced civilization in the Northern part of the country, were pretty much assimilated racially and culturally; this also means that certain traits of their way of live also influenced the mainstream culture.

Modern Indigenous cultures

Modern the Bribri jìcaras (carved gourds used as canteens and decorations), the Guaymi textiles and Guatuso stonework still tell us stories. Today's replicas show beliefs, relate myths, and describe the sacred. Clay, paints, materials, methods of production are in many cases identical to those used a thousand years ago. Other groups, like the Chorotega who live and sell their pottery in Guanacaste, have incorporated modern techniques into their art.

On December, 1977, the government passed a law which established the Indian reserves. It gave indigenous groups the right to stay in self-governed communities, but at the same time the government withheld the land titles.

Guayabo National Monument

On the slopes of the Turriabla Volcano, Guayabo is the largest and most important archeological site discovered to date in Costa Rica. Archeologists believe that 10,000 people once lived in the ruins. The excavation includes paved sidewalks, aqueducts, and circular mounds that served as the floors of large buildings. There is also a large stone carved with a Jaguar and a Crocodile, gods of the forest and river, respectively. It is difficult to determine which cultures influenced it the most.

Some of the buildings point to a South American influence, but Mesoamerican evidence is also present. Human occupation of the site dates back to 1.000 B.C. Recent studies reveal that Guayabo reached its peak from 300 to 700 A.D. It is not known why the inhabitants left Guayabo, just before Columbus arrived.

The map and majority of the text on this page was generously provided by Canatur, Costa Rica's Tourism Chamber. Visit their website at http://www.tourism.co.cr

 

 

 
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