Traditional Party in the South Pacific of Costa Rica

El juego de los diablitos (the game of the little devils) is called, a Boruca (indigenous tribe) tradition, it is celebrated since 30 years ago at the indigenous territory of Rey Curré in Buenos Aires of Puntarenas. If you want to know about a traditional party in Costa Rica this is the one for excellence, 4 days displaying lots of energy going up and down dusty hills to reach every house in the community and play the little devils game, like they only know how to do it.

What is the game ? The little devils represent the indigenous people that fought to defend the attacks of the Spanish people during the colonization trying to take away from them all their belongings, the Spanish people is represented by the bull. The game consists in standing in front of the bull (the little devils) and provoke the it.

Phrases like : ¡ESAAAA! Toroooo!! Esaaaaa, are frequently said to call the attention of the bull, composed of a wooden structure and a bull mask. Is the man in front of the beast ! but there is no violence in here, only strength and skill, at the end is just a game.

Other little devils will revolve the dust on the ground with a branch to provoke the bull, when the bull sees them doing this, after a while, he will run towards them to try and gore them, many of them will end up on the floor biting the dust. The shouting is constant, it is also a way of communicating among the little devils, the dancing should not fail, and you will see lots of people, moving along the rhythm of the drums, flute and accordion. Music also is used to accompany the little devils in their trail from house to house.

It goes every day from 8:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m with a pause at noon for lunch, there is a hierarchical structure in this game, the older devils, with a higher rank, are the ones in charge of controlling the smaller devils for them to follow the rules and for them not to exceed violence.

The last day is when the “tumbazon” happens, is when the bull knocks down one of the little devils, at this moment the battle lights up, the bull hits all the little devils and everything on its way, from spectators, plants etc, laughs and people scared are combined here. Then the bull runs away and hides in the mountain and all the little devils come alive again, they go to look for the bull with the help of a dog and when they find it, they bring it chained to the bonfire.

The burned bull represents the victory of the indigenous people over the Spanish. Lots of drinking complements this tradition, they drink “chicha” a typical drink made of fermented corn. 

At Hotel Cuna del Angel, there is a special tribute to Borucas.  Our restaurant La Palapa´s architectural design was based on the "Boruca" traditional ceremonial dwelling. All Cuna del Angel´s guests interested in participating in the game of the little devils every January,  or to know more about the indigenous life at anytime during the year, should consider to drive 1 ½ hours  towards to the south. 

 www.cunadelangel.com - info@cunadelangel.com - Tel. (506) 2787-4343