culture

Located deep in the Talamanca mountains, the Borucas remained isolated during Spanish colonization, aiding in the preservation of their culture. Daily life reflects a self-sustaining agricultural village, supplemented by craft-making and ethnotourism. Experience Boruca culture through its food, faith, medicine, school and the people themselves.

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Legends, passed down, are an important part of Boruca spirituality. Each story honors humanity’s connection to nature. Local places where the Boruca legends originated are regarded as sacred and given much respect. Before the arrival of the Spanish, Boruca and its neighboring tribes believed in a god named Sibú, and such beliefs have not been completely lost. In the 1500s, the Spanish introduced Roman Catholicism, and most today identify as such while holding fast to the respect and spirituality found in the old tales.

  • As water surges down the mountain of Cuasrán, a sign reads, “It is my sacred place, you should go with respect.” Boruca legends says that the mountain and waterfall are the home of Cuasrán and should be treated as sacred. The spirits of those faithful to Cuasrán and the land go to the waterfall to unite with the spirit.
  • This is the third waterfall considered home of Cuasrán. Legend tells that Cuasrán protects the people of Boruca through power and force of the flowing water.
  • Lush vegetation covers the mountain of Cuasrán, where according to legends passed down from elders, Cuasrán, a community leader, went to hide when the Spanish came to the village and began baptizing the Boruca.
  • High atop a mountain outside the village center, a tree known to the Boruca as “witch tree” stands above other vegetation. The intense belief in legends such as this shapes daily life for those young and old.
  • An important figure in the Roman Catholic Church, a statue of the Virgin Mary stands inside the church in Boruca. Church bells ring out across the village to alert the people that it is time for Mass.
  • A large cross towers above Boruca near the church. Ladder steps on the cross allow for the nightly lighting of the cross points. The huge cross towers above Boruca as a reminder of the Spanish effort to convert the indigenous community.
  • A statue of the Virgin Mary stands inside the church in Boruca. Most people of the village consider themselves Catholic, but also hold other spiritual beliefs passed down by village elders.
  • A cross marks a grave in the cemetery just outside the center of Boruca. Located on a hilltop, the cemetery is surrounded by picturesque views of neighboring mountains. In fact, some believe that the spirits of those who are connected to the land go to the mountain of Cuasrán after death.
  • Pews sit empty as a crucifix hangs inside Boruca’s only church. Although empty now, Mass, spoken in part Boruca language and part Spanish, is held daily in this small village.

faith

    Education in Boruca

In addition to subjects like math, science and history, the Boruca education includes cultural classes and Boruca language classes. Growing efforts to retain Boruca culture and traditions are essential to the curriculum. Culture classes are both practical, teaching carving and other crafts; and theoretical, focusing on language, history, and legend.

education

food & agriculture

  • Coffee fields can be seen across the mountainside just outside of the village center. The crop supplies the village, and is exported from some small farms.
  • A coconut palm grows in the village of Boruca. Coconuts are used in a variety of dishes and beverages.
  • Green leaf lettuce grows in a homemade planter just outside a cement block home in Boruca. The Borucas grow a variety of fruits and vegetables in their yards and in family plots. Most of the food grown is only used to sustain families, but some agriculture is exported.
  • Plantains hang in a traditional outdoor kitchen in Boruca. Plantains are a dietary staple within the village and are often fried in oil, but can also be thrown, skin on, into the coals from an open fire and baked.
  • Onions hang against a tree trunk nearby the open fire many Boruca use to cook meat, rice and other dishes.
  • Picked gourds sit in the grass in Rey Curré waiting to be carved. Residents of Rey Curré are also Boruca people, but live in a neighboring town on the Pan-American Highway.
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables sit in a bowl in the outdoor kitchen in a traditional rancho constructed behind a Boruca family home. The tropical climate allows for a variety of produce to be grown within the village.
  • Margarita Moralez prepares the filling for tamales in her outdoor kitchen in Boruca. The mixture of pork, rice and vegetables will be wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed over an open fire. Though tamales are very popular in the rest of Latin America, Boruca is known for its unique recipe that uses steamed rice instead of masa flour paste.
  • Margarita Morales puts a tamale in a pot to steam over an open fire for about six hours in her outdoor kitchen. According to her, tamales are usually prepared for special events such as birthdays and holidays. Traditional food is a significant way that Boruca maintains its indigenous identity.
  • Tamales sit waiting to be steamed over an open fire for about six hours. Because of the time and effort it takes to prepare tamales, they are usually a festive food for celebrations like Christmas and birthdays.
  • Pork hangs above an open fire and cooking pot in a traditional outdoor kitchen. This method of smoking the meat results in a chewy, bacon-like flavor.
  • A soup made of egg, potato, corn and plantains is served for dinner in the village of Boruca. Wastefulness is frowned upon in Boruca, encouraging inventive ways to reuse leftovers.
  • A meal of chicken, rice and salad sits on a table under a traditional rancho in Boruca. This lunch is typical of the diet in Boruca. Most families raise chickens for eggs and meat and also grow fruits and vegetables.
  • Breakfast sits on a table prepared in the traditional outdoor kitchen in Boruca. Rice and beans, fried plantains and oranges are all common foods at breakfast, as well as other daily meals.

Boruca is a sustainable farming community. Crop fields are embedded up and down the hills of its mountainous landscape. Families grow rice, beans, coffee, cacao, fruits, corn and tomatoes. They raise beef, chicken and pork. Most people grow only enough food to feed their families. Rice and beans are essential to any meal. Corn tortillas and tomatoes are included almost as often, while plantains are a delicious addition for breakfast or dessert. Any good Boruca celebration also includes their unique variety of tamale made with rice. Make your own tamales with this tamale recipe (PDF).

  • Two-year-old Donna looks up from beside her cousin in her family’s outdoor kitchen near the village center of Boruca.
  • A boy sits near the river outside the village center of Boruca. This swimming hole is called Mambram, and is the setting for the local legend of The Two Sisters. Villagers hike to this spot to swim on hot days.
  • A young boy holds two puppies outside his home in Boruca. Dogs are an important part of Boruca life and are found throughout the village.
  • Two sisters play under their family’s traditional rancho. Some natives are saddened that children are spending more time watching television rather than listening to elders tell stories about the Boruca identity.
  • A boy stands near the village museum in Boruca. Inaugurated in 1985, the museum was built with money from grants and houses historical artifacts, documenting traditional crafts and the story of Cuasrán.
  • Two teens relax beside the large cross that towers over the churchyard and village of Boruca.
  • A boy stands waiting for Mass just outside the only church in the village. Mass is held daily and the service is said partly in Spanish and partly in the Boruca language. Along with the Catholic teachings, young Boruca learn about local spirits from listening to stories from elders.
  • Boys play soccer near the village center of Boruca. Soccer is the most popular sport, and impromptu games can be spotted in yards, streets and on a field near the high school.
  • A man rides a horse down the street just across from the museum in Boruca. The museum dedicated to indigenous culture is located near the village center and is a common stop for day visitors.
  • A man saddles up a horse near the village center. Animals including horses, chickens, pigs, cows and goats are kept in Boruca and the surrounding countryside. Though some villagers cannot afford automobiles, they are also common in Boruca.
  • An artisan carves a traditional Diablitos mask in his thatch-roofed workshop in Boruca. The craft is taught to children as soon as they are old enough to hold the tools. Since the efforts to revive the faltering traditions, mask-making is now taught in the local school.
  • A man carves a piece of wood to repair a broken tool. Living in such a remote village, many Boruca rely on their own ingenuity to handle everyday problems such as this.
  • A man walks down the street near the bus stop in the village center of Boruca. Bus service from Buenos Aires comes several times a day.
  • A man stands in the street near the center of Boruca. Most people get around the village on foot or horseback, reserving automobiles for longer trips to towns along the Pan-American Highway.
  • A man stands at the bus stop in Rey Curré, a smaller village to the south of Boruca. Although closer to the road and to outside influence, Rey Curré is still considered part of Boruca.
  • Mileni Gonzalez, president of artisan group La Flor de Boruca, stands waiting to talk to a group of tourists visiting for homestays with families. Ethnotourism has grown since Boruca began focusing on reviving ancient traditions. Tourism and handicraft sales make up more than 80 percent of Boruca’s economy.
  • Roy Morales, 35, smiles atop a mountain a short drive from the Boruca village center. The Pacific Ocean and coast can be seen from the lookout point Morales is standing near.
  • Oscar Morales-Leiba drives a motorcycle down the road as his daughter rides on the back. Morales-Leiba teaches the Boruca language to school children as part of ongoing cultural preservation efforts.
  • A man stands admiring the view from the top of a hill near the church in Boruca. The Boruca reserve is extensive, and all the land in this view is used by Boruca people.

    • faces of boruca

    The best way to understand Boruca is through its people. Take a look at the faces of some of the farmers, mask-makers, weavers, teachers, and children (and their pet puppies) found in the beautiful mountain village.

medicine

    Medicine in Boruca

    Although the village is equipped with its own small medical center, a few villagers are still trained in traditional Boruca medicinal practices. Some of the all-natural and plant-based remedies are taken from the surrounding hills and streams. These ancient practices are renowned in the region, especially in regard to women’s health. Watch the interview with Victoria Gonzales to learn more.