Introduction

My Experience

Background

Location

History

Culture

Language

Settlement

Family & Customs

Income

Beliefs

Creation

Universe

Medicine

Death

Bibliography

Geographical location:

The Bribri are located in southeastern portion of Costa Rica; they are congregated near the watersheds of the Talamanca Mountain range. The Bribri have a history that is similar to and intwined with the Cabécar. One similarity is that both peoples are located in Talamanca along with the township of Buenos Aires, Turrialba, and Matina. Outside of Talamanca, there are three other reservations for the Bribri in Këköldi (near the Atlantic watershed,) Salitre and Cabagra (by the Pacific watershed). In 1990, there were 6,700 Bribri living on one of the four reserves.

Map: reserves: Salitre-#17, Cabagra-#4, Këköldi-#12, Alta Talamanca- #3

History:

Recorded knowledge about the Bribri dates back to Columbus’ fourth journey across the ocean in 1502. During the colonial times, the Indian tribes implemented a system of hierarchy known as chiefdoms; this system led to their downfall as the Spanish easily gained control and colonized many people groups. Fortunately, the Bribri were located on the other side of the Talamanca mountain range; this prevented the Spanish infiltration, and permitted the preservation of the chiefdom system for hundreds of years among these peoples. The Bribri and Cabécar often get lumped together because they share similarities of language and institutions; they do however speak different languages and live differently. Their location and isolation enabled them to resist outside influence until 1882, when they were eventually infiltrated. Primary schools were introduced along with more farming, and there was an eventually deterioration of the known hierarchical system in 1920.