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subsistence. Their culture is also shared with visitors through the tours they offer, which include cultural information like history, diet, and the reforestation program and ideology. While the presence of
Catholic missionaries was protective in the era of Spanish settlement, the terms of engagement did not remain economic and included the partial loss of cultural practices. However, in 2016, linguist Carlos Sánchez Avendaño created dictionaries for three Costa Rican tribes including the Maleku in order to promote cultural retention among indigenous youth. These dictionaries cover specific subjects like the wildlife prioritized by each tribe and recipes as well as the language as a whole and are meant to be publicly available as well. In addition, the work goes beyond translation to portray the cultural perspective, for example including bats and insects as flying animals in the Maleku animal dictionary.
190:
people before this time in uneven exchanges. Due to this appropriation of Maleku lands, 62% of residents in the legally designated Maleku reserve currently are non-Maleku. Some Maleku have therefore begun to illegally occupy lands they consider theirs. One man claims foreigners should by their T-shirts and other knick knacks because Maleku can provide oxygen to the world by planting. Meanwhile, dams, plumbing systems, and other governmental projects threaten indigenous control of water as a resource and sacred substance.
268:, a building used for Council meetings and traditional ceremonies, had deteriorated over time and caught on fire, prompting a call for restoration; this effort reached full funding in 2013. More controversially, a group of Maleku began an occupation of a private estate within the reserve on December 10, 2012. The occupation lasted three months. However, it does not appear to have had reaching effects on the historic and continued appropriation of Maleku lands.
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279:, established in 1984, restricts indigenous use of the wetlands, traditionally a major food source for the Maleku. Not only does this complicate access to food, but fishing also has a cultural significance for the Maleku: according to the Maleku religion, one punishment for those who misbehave is to have "fragile fishing nets," corroborating the social and cultural importance of fishing. Meanwhile, transnational industries like
20:
217:(bowls made from gourds), and musical instruments are their most popular items. Such products preserve the cultural history of the Maleku and emphasize the sacredness of the land and animals, and the wooden masks in particular use only debris from surrounding trees rather than the destruction of live ones. These are sold to tourists in the villages or taken to cities like
133:, nor do they wear their traditional clothes. Today the villages mostly contain cement houses but still contain several traditional houses used for ceremonies as tourist attractions. The Maleku traditionally bury their dead directly inside their homes, so the dead are never forgotten. Living in cement houses, the Maleku have had to acquire special permission from the
105:
indigenous populations in the
Americas. However, the Christian tradition did not surpass traditional Maleku beliefs due to the lack of a permanent mission and the language barrier. However, the violent incursion, cultural and economic imposition, and diseases like malaria did decrease the pre-contact population of 6,000 to its current 600-member count.
275:(Caño Negro in the Maleku language), about the Maleku. Only fifteen minutes long and in both Spanish and Maleku, the video engages with two Maleku elders about the cultural practices of and current obstacles faced by their people. Two main outside forces are described: the government and private interests. In particular, the federally managed
158:. Turtles are particularly culturally significant as codified in the annual rite of communal turtle hunting. Some plants, while mildly toxic, are still part of a traditional Maleku diet. Medicinal plants are also important to the Maleku, particularly given their rural location and distance from mainstream medical centers. Various types of
283:
companies and local ranchers are seen to be destroying nature, in conflict with Maleku philosophy which prioritizes environmental stability and the sacred importance of water. The Maleku elders describe the loss of food animals and their inability to navigate production negotiations with such parties
234:
In Maleku history, animals have always maintained an especially sacred part of their lives alongside nature. As a result, the Maleku people have assigned certain symbolic characteristics to some of the animals found in Costa Rica. These symbolic characteristics are in accordance to the behaviors and
125:
Maleku society was traditionally egalitarian, with little internal stratification, and featured gendered division of labor. Their religion is polytheistic and oriented toward nature. Many aspects of Maleku culture are still practiced today, as seen in the production of traditional art for economic
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and lobbied the government to punish citizens who captured indigenous people. In addition, he assigned people and places
Spanish names despite knowing the Maleku terms. Western tools, standards of dress, and economic systems like commercial farming were impressed upon the Maleku as they were other
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or fruit needed for the projects. Additionally, many adults leave the reservation to work elsewhere periodically or to relocate permanently. The Maleku's rate of unemployment, at 10%, is the highest of any Costa Rican indigenous community; self-sustainability is further compromised by the small
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with the foundation of the reservation in 1976. Thus, of 11.5 square miles legally considered reserve lands, the Maleku own less than 2 square miles. While the land legally belongs to the Maleku, this is not enforced; the majority remains unreturned, having been sold or traded to non-indigenous
173:
The reserve consists of 3 "palenques" or villages, Palenque Sol, Palenque
Tonjibe, and Palenque Margarita. These palenques meet several times a year in social and celebratory gatherings; historically, they would also unite militarily against external threats. The reserve contains two elementary
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watershed on a geographic span of 2,500 square miles. They remained undiscovered until 1750, with the arrival of
Spanish settlers. Between 1868 and 1900, Nicaraguan rubber farmers migrated onto Maleku territory, often in armed bands, claiming traditional Maleku territories. The resulting death,
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and retain their independence, and their language indicates that they are a distinct stock. They were described by old writers as being very fair, with flaxen hair, and these reports led to a belief, since exploded, that they were
European hybrids. As of 1911, there were very few surviving.
100:, in particular Bishop Bernardo Augusto Thiel. Thiel's mission to "civilize" and "Christianize" the Maleku coexisted with a desire to end the enslavement and genocide of such indigenous populations. He provided the Maleku with tools and firearms while encouraging the development of
206:. Tourists who visit the villages, however, get a better sense of Maleku culture, even if it is somewhat diminished in modern times. One can visit the traditional gardens of healing plants and admire animals that still inhabit the forest, including
263:
In
January 2012, the Maleku Tribal Council received national recognition as a registered governing body. This group oversees reforestation of native lands, and its legal status allows it to apply for grants for community projects. For example, the
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Their traditional diet consisted of various plants and animals from the tropical forests. Animal sources include a wide variety of fish, and turtles, from the Rio Frio, Rio Sol, and Caño Negro. The Maleku continue to hunt for
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characteristics of these animals in the wild, as well as their role in some of their traditional stories that make up Maleku history. The following are just a few of what can be found in their artwork:
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Certain animals are specifically not consumed despite being native to the land. Wild or domestic animals with horns, like cows and deer, are religiously proscribed, as are howler and capuchin monkeys.
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for more information on religious beliefs.) In addition, aside from those made for the tourism industry, traditional clay pots have been largely replaced by aluminum ones.
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to visit and tour their villages, although most tourists prefer to see them perform ceremonies in traditional palm clothing in the nearby town of
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to be sold there. Most members in the villages (including children) make some type of art or help out, by cutting and preparing the necessary
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people live on the reserve, making this the smallest tribe in Costa Rica, but outsiders have come into the community as well. Before the
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As with many other Costa Rican indigenous populations, the Maleku today rely on the tourism industry for economic survival. They invite
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162:, for example banana and cassava, are consumed to connote amity at social gatherings, at celebrations, and in exchanges.
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448:"Life, Health, Purity, and Survival: the Maleku of Costa Rica Struggle to Regain Lost Lands | Cultural Survival"
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In addition to tours, the Maleku also create indigenous art to sell; carvings, paintings of wooden masks and
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Snake - Represents the Shaman of the tribe. Someone who takes care of others through medicinal knowledge.
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The Maleku no longer live in their traditional houses, since the trees necessary to make them are now
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863:
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From
Principles to Practice: Indigenous Peoples and Biodiversity Conservation in Latin America
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564:"Bishop Bernardo Augusto Thiel and the Indigenous Maleku of the Northern Zone of Costa Rica"
482:"Bishop Bernardo Augusto Thiel and the Indigenous Maleku of the Northern Zone of Costa Rica"
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describes them as an active, hardy people, who have always maintained hostility towards the
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Jaguar - A fierce and wise leader that is passionate about nature. Sometimes mischievous.
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The Maleku reserve is actually limited to 15% of the territory granted to them by the
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enslavement, and dislocation of the Maleku eventually ended due to the influence of
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territory, which preempts their traditional reliance on hunting and fishing.
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699:"Documentary shows problems faced by Costa Rica's Maleku indigenous people"
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397:. Vol. 12 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 665.
222:
186:
134:
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36:
23:
Traditional grass hut in a Maleku outpost near La
Fortuna, Costa Rica.
728:. Dir. Jeffrey López. Association of Popular Initiatives Ditsö, 2013.
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199:
911:
832:
781:
522:"DESCRIPCIĂ“N DE LA CULTURA DEL AGUA EN COSTA RICA: PUEBLO MALEKU"
101:
44:
651:
Vinding, Diana; Gray, Andrew; and
Parellada, Allejandro (1998).
901:
881:
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271:
In 2013, Jeffrey LĂłpez wrote and directed a short documentary,
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as sacred sites. Today their reserve is concentrated south of
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Montoya-Greenheck, Felipe; Carvajal, Kenneth; Salas, Uri.
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Toucan - The interior and exterior beauty of the woman.
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government to bury their dead in their backyards. (See
579:"UCR recopila conocimiento indĂgena sobre animales"
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344:
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328:
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304:
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55:, the name used by Spanish settlers. Around 600
629:"Indigenous Peoples of the World — The Maleku"
245:Morpho Butterfly - Peace, love, and good luck.
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284:as major problems posed by the modern world.
674:"Máscaras Maleku traducen lenguaje cultural"
242:Scarlet Macaw - Fidelity and good matrimony.
51:). Historically they were also known as the
251:Owl - Wise and able to see beyond darkness.
154:meat and use the skin on their traditional
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296:. For a more extensive list of terms, see
287:
63:, their territory extended as far west as
562:Castillo Vásquez, Robert (May 20, 2011).
480:Castillo Vásquez, Robert (May 20, 2011).
577:Coto, Katzy O'neal (December 12, 2016).
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970:Indigenous peoples of Central America
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91:The Maleku historically lived in the
766:Ancestry and ethnicity in Costa Rica
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446:Minor, Jessica (March 26, 2013).
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874:Indigenous peoples of Costa Rica
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349:= I would like a cup of coffee
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16:Costa Rican indigenous people
292:70% of the tribe speaks the
110:1911 Encyclopædia Britannica
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67:, and included the volcano
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277:Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
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102:European farming practices
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41:Guatuso Indigenous Reserve
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633:www.peoplesoftheworld.org
416:Maleku Indians Costa Rica
412:"Maleku Indigenous Tribe"
452:www.culturalsurvival.org
394:Encyclopædia Britannica
357:= let's go (to a place)
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288:Vocabulary and Language
182:language) and culture.
174:schools that teach the
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539:"Maleku Village Tours"
210:, frogs, and monkeys.
187:Costa Rican government
24:
951:Costa Rica portal
655:, pp. 234–37. IWGIA.
98:Catholic missionaries
77:San Rafael de Guatuso
49:San Rafael de Guatuso
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333:= what is your name?
678:www.diarioextra.com
604:"Indigenous Maleku"
79:, an hour north of
65:Rincon de la Vieja
61:Spanish settlement
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703:Inside Costa Rica
627:Waddington, Ray.
608:www.amadeus.co.cr
139:Gautusa mythology
71:to the south and
43:near the town of
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388:"Guatusos"
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346:arrachapi kahole
341:= my name is ...
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230:Animal Symbolism
223:balsa wood trees
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774:Costa Ricans
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680:(in Spanish)
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330:irri miotem?
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864:Nicaraguans
486:Reflections
135:Costa Rican
73:Rio Celeste
964:Categories
854:Colombians
709:2017-04-10
684:2017-04-10
638:2017-03-05
613:2017-03-05
584:2017-04-23
548:2017-03-27
457:2017-03-05
421:2017-03-05
362:References
338:mioten ...
204:La Fortuna
131:endangered
81:La Fortuna
57:aboriginal
37:Costa Rica
35:people of
33:indigenous
849:Americans
726:Toro Hami
306:kapi kapi
281:pineapple
273:Toro Hami
114:Spaniards
859:Mexicans
842:Americas
792:European
488:: 53–70.
259:Politics
219:San Jose
200:tourists
180:Chibchan
93:RĂo FrĂo
928:Chinese
892:Cabécar
833:Mulatto
815:Swedish
810:Spanish
805:Italian
782:Mestizo
309:= hello
208:toucans
194:Economy
169:Reserve
121:Culture
87:History
53:Guatuso
45:Guatuso
31:are an
921:Asians
902:Movere
897:Maleku
887:Bribri
882:Boruca
800:German
659:
543:Maleku
266:rancho
215:jucara
160:chicha
152:iguana
69:Arenal
29:Maleku
912:Ngäbe
525:(PDF)
322:hebet
317:= yes
156:drums
933:Jews
907:Naso
657:ISBN
325:= no
314:w-ay
145:Diet
108:The
27:The
178:(a
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
