How Do We Get To Boruca?
Entrance to Boruca town by Dagmar Reinhard
Throughout the year, but especially in December, there are many events and festivals in the village of Boruca. The directions below will take you straight to this beautiful village where you can experience a world of art, culture, and history.
From San José, take the highway known as Autopista del Sol Route 27, exit Tárcoles - Jaco. Follow Highway 34 to Dominical and from there continue driving down the Coastal Highway to Palmar Sur, about one hour and 15 minutes.
When you reach the junction with Palmar, turn left, taking the Pan-American Highway toward Buenos Aires. After approximately 25km, you will see a sign on you left hand side indicating the town of Boruca.
It is a slightly steep road and requires a 4x4 vehicle. The uphill road is approximately 8km, and it offers a spectacular unobstructed view of the two valleys on either side; you will also admire the Térraba River and the Cordillera on the horizon. Nearest airport: Palmar Sur.
Read more information on Indigenous Culture:
Indigenous Culture in Costa Rica
Fall in love in Costa Ballena, Costa Rica Free Travel Guide #97
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Boruca Gallery Gift Shop
Boruca Gallery Gift Shop
~ by Susie Atkinson
Looking for a unique souvenir of your trip to Costa Rica – something that is a true representation of the local folklore and does not have that “Made in China” stamp on it?
Look no further; Boruca Gallery Gift Shop has handcrafted products that were made by the Borucans, our local indigenous.
The Borucans are the only tribe of Costa Rica that was not conquered by the Spanish conquistadors in the late 1400s-early 1500s.
They defended themselves in a unique way: by carving and wearing very scary masks in the form of the face of a devil, which chased the Spaniards away; thus, becoming known as the "diablitos" (little devils).
The Gallery has a wide collection of the best detailed carved masks/wall hangings, as well as hand-woven, naturally dyed 100% cotton products, such as placemats, table runners, tote bags, and yoga mat carriers.
Each year, our shop has grown.
In 2016, we increased our sales of the carved masks by 30% in just the first 11 months of 2016; 330 masks were sold. Our woven sales of 260 pieces
remained about the same as last year.
Our store wants as many sales as possible to keep the money flow going into the Borucan village, since 80% of their income comes from their handcrafted products.
Therefore, our prices have a very little markup.
Our stock is changing constantly. At any given time, there are 25 - 40 unique masks ranging in price from $10 to $125, along with all the woven goods.
Tourists love learning the history about the masks and weavings, knowing they are getting an authentic souvenir from their visit to Costa Rica.
Please stop by The Gallery or make a day trip to the village and learn about our indigenous folklore artwork!
INFO: Susie Atkinson – pacificedgedominical@gmail.com
The Boruca Little Devils’ Game
By Cristhian González Gómez
The Boruca Little Devils’Gam is a ceremony, which takes place between December 30 and January 2, originally named Cagbrúˇ rójc (1) in Brunca language, and known as “The little devils’ game” outside of Boruca Territory, is about the struggle of native Borucas against the Europeans (Síˇcua rójc) during colonial times. In a dramatic way, and with processions or walks around the community where the characters wear masks, people reenact the violent encounters between the Borucas and the Spanish invaders, represented by a mock bull (Samán) (2) . For the Borucas, these dates are highly expected, since they consider this celebration one of their most representative ancient cultural expressions.
Its importance brings together both native Costa Rican indigenous people and non-indigenous citizens, besides other visitors from abroad. This is how they reinforce their pride for their identity, and their motivation to protect the legacy that their ancestors have trusted us with. It’s fundamental to take into account that, every day, the Indigenous Peoples clash with transculturation and adversities that endanger their traditions.
Regarding their economy, the Boruca Little Devils’Gam allows various organized and touristic groups to interact, and they have a very positive participation in the community’s progress. Boruca artists embellish this activity with their masks and costumes, and prepare the staging for the walks around the area. The preparations for this party begin several months before.
During the three days, Boruca creates an environment of cultural enjoyment, family coexistence, and a warm welcome for tourists, surrounded by traditional music and a pleasant atmosphere
(1) “Diablitos”in English (2) “Toro” in English
Christophe Gstalder: Boruca – A Vanishing Race and Culture
Christophe Gstalder photographer, Boruca – A Vanishing Race and Culture
“The most beautiful landscape of the Boruca community is the humbleness of its people”
I have never worked in my life! (Christophe´s passion for photography, does not allow him to call it work). He is originally from Marseille, France; he grew up traveling across the world with his father.
20 years ago, he began working on his film “Los Diablitos – Por Encima De Las Nubes” (The Little Devils – Above the Clouds), a documentary about the Boruca Culture, their Traditions & People. The Film´s original soundtrack is directed by Christophe and Guillain Joncheray (Deep Forest.) Christophe´s sensibility, his respect for the ancient culture, and the beauty he sees in the Indigenous world through his camera, helped him to give birth to an incredibly beautiful 52-minutes documentary. “I did not expect anything different; it’s a true 100 % self-made film, during a long journey, without deadlines, with no producer demands, free as a bird, in a length that brings maturity of feelings …” he told us.
“I miss Costa Rica and my dear friends, anchored in my thoughts and heart. My mission in life is to complete this film. (If SIBU wants it… I think so! SIBU wants it!)
Christophe Gstalder is a notorious free-lance photographer for Fashion Magazines such as Marie-Claire, Elle, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and he recently visited Zanzibar (East Africa).
Christophe Gstalder photographer Facebook Page
The Stone Spheres of Costa Rica’s South Pacific
~ by Luis Gutiérrez Galera
Surrounded by beautiful landscapes, the magnificent Pacific Ocean, and an invaluable archaeological treasure, the southern region of Costa Rica stands out as an area of amazing beauty and characteristics that do not exist in the rest of Central America.
Finca 6
This historic legacy is unique and unparalleled in the rest of the world.
In the county of Osa, some of the richest and most valuable pre-Columbian archaeological masterpieces remain.
The native indigenous settlements of Finca 6, El Silencio, Batambal, and Grijalba, in the Diquís subregion, are the best evidence that various ancestral societies developed for thousands of years in its territory. The extraordinary social, artistic, and technological organization of the first Costa Rican inhabitants is outstanding.
Sphericity and its relation to power and ethnic identity are the symbolic relations that are linked to this amazing pre-Columbian display, and the spheres’ sizes set the differences between each other. The bigger ones were placed in public and living areas, while the smaller ones were buried in tombs, and they also decorated statues.
Since they are considered unique in the world due to their perfection, sizes, and high technological level, so far it has been impossible to establish accurately which of the 5 ethnic groups that are still present in this territory is responsible for such a complex work of engineering.
However, based on all the research done, the Boruca group is number 1 on the experts’ list. What is definitely mind-blowing is the craftsmanship of these enigmatic societies, as well as their expertise in construction, and the creation of gold, ceramic, and stone ornaments that were used in religion, art, and as a symbol of their worldview.
In June, 2014, these four settlements were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, because of their exceptional universal value; this boosts the beauty of the southern region of Costa Rica as a natural, cultural, and archaeological destination.
