Boruca
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Boruca (also known as the Brunca or the Brunka) are an indigenous people living in Costa Rica. Historically they spoke the Boruca language, one of the Chibchan languages, though Spanish is now more common. The tribe has about 2,000 members, most of whom live on a reservation in the Puntarenas Province in southwestern Costa Rica. The ancestors of the modern Boruca made up a group of chiefdoms that ruled most of Costa Rica's Pacific coast, from Quepos to what is now the Panamanian border, including the Osa Peninsula.
Like their ancestors the Boruca are known for their art and craftwork, especially weaving and their distinctive painted balsa wood masks, which have become popular decorative items among Costa Ricans and tourists. These masks are important elements in the Borucas' annual Danza de los Diablitos ceremony, celebrated every winter since at least early colonial times. The Danza depicts the resistance of the "Diabolito", representing the Boruca people, against the Spanish conquistadors.
[edit] References
- "Indigenous People and Places". From Kytkascostarica.com. Retrieved January 7, 2006.
- Danza de los Diabolitos. From Galeria Namu. Retrieved January 7, 2006.
 |
This Costa Rica-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
