Click on the thumbnails to view the enlarged
picture. Click theBACKarrow on your browser to return to this page.
The Maleku welcomed us
with a dance
Maleku warriors
demonstrated stick fighting
Maleku maidens dreamed
of suitors bringing paca
Ben was treated with medicinal
drumbeats
He answered the stick
fighting challenge
The win was celebrated
with a kiss
The loser was awarded
the shirt off his back
The Maleku are an indigenous tribe in Costa Rica
located in the Guaruso Indigenous Reserve near the town of San Rafael de
Guatuso. Around 600 aboriginal people live on the reserve, but outsiders
have come into the community as well. Before the Spanish colonization,
their territory extended as far west as Rincon de la Vieja, and included
the volcano Arenal to the south and Rio Celeste as sacred sites. Today
their reserve is concentrated south of San Rafael de Guatuso, an hour
north of La Fortuna.
This page was last updated on May 12, 2010
. All content, photography and images are the property of Dorie Parsons,
except where noted. Permission is required to copy, download or use any text,
photographs or image files. Questions and comments can be sent to the RRR
Webmaster.
