Fiesta of the Diablitos

The multi-day Fiesta of the Diablitos, celebrated by the Boruca people of the region, pays honour to ancestral spirits while commemorating the tribe's victory over Spanish conquistadors. The males of the community dress up as diablitos, wearing colourful hand-carved wooden masks, and one person dressed as a bull, representing the Spanish conquistadors and illustrating the conflict between the Borucas and the Spanish. While the conquistadors appear to have the upper hand at times, the Boruca finally triumph, as they have in the past. The Boruca sip chicha, a traditional fermented maize liquor, throughout the festival.

The masks are the most significant element of the costumes. Each member is empowered by the mask to combat and expel the evil of the Spanish invaders, who are represented by a mock bull. The celebration masks incorporate devil characteristics that the indigenous people inherited symbolically from the Spanish Catholics. Fiesta de Los Diablitos takes place in two indigenous communities: Boruca (December 30 – January 2) and Rey Curre (January 2). (the first weekend of February). It is open to the public, however, visitors must pay a fee to take photographs.

Time: December- January

Location: Boruca and Rey Curre