Visiting San Jose at the end of December, when the rest of the world celebrates the New Year, is a great opportunity to get to know the local culture as well as possible. You can do this by attending the event Fiestas de los Diablitos, which usually takes place in the surrounding village named Ray Kurre. The festival proposes that all its participants be divided into two teams. The first team puts on the masks and costumes of the Boruka Indians (“Diabolitas” or demons). The second one represents the Spaniards (“toro” or bulls). Then the recreation of the battle follows. It displays the events that took place during the conquest of Costa Rica by the Spaniards. It is believed that the bright and bizarre costumes worn by the participants are necessary to call on the spirits of the ancestors, which can help them to show this battle of the past more realistically. A special feature of this event is that every one of its visitors becomes a participant.
There are several opinions about the origin of the celebration. Some researchers conclude that it came into being after the colonization of the country. The others believe that the appearance of the Spaniards only added a few elements to it (bull masks, for example), whereas the tradition of the event is much more ancient. Anyway, the festival is one of the most significant in the whole country, and it testifies about the rich cultural heritage of Costa Rica. This holiday can hardly be imagined without the tasting of local dishes, in particular, “chichi” which is a drink made from corn and pineapple. The event is also associated with traditional Indian dances and games, as well as colorful fireworks, which complete the celebration.
Read further...