Costa Rica's Indigenous Reserves

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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 food s 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 Turrialba 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

On the Sotuhern part of Costa Rica you will find ...

The Spheres

Many of these round stones are within a few degrees of being perfect circles. They are solid with smooth textured surfaces. Without having found a sphere in partial construction or a site where they may have been produced, it's difficult to understand their real purpose.Spheresthe size of cars and weighing more than nine tons have been found across the countryside of southwest Costa Rica. They may have been produced as far back as 200 or 300 A.D., whether they have been created by people during one generation of craftsmen or during a long period of time is hard to define, we only know that the workmanship is obvious but the method of production still remain theoretical.