Black Costa Ricans celebrate their day

The country commemorated Black and Afro-Costa Rican culture day. The party began at Vargas Park, in Limon, at 3:30 P.M. with the participation of four costumed groups, 12 floats and seven bands from schools in the area.

Many Limon residents were present on the city streets, where they could not miss the costumes and the display of typical foods, such as the famous "rice and beans". The gala activity ended at Black Star Line, with a solemn civic act. Marcelle Taylor, general coordinator of Black Ethnic Cultural Civic Committee, explained that ten years ago they realized that the rich culture of Limon was being lost, so the idea of the annual festival was born, which has the support of the Culture Ministry. Taylor added that the main objective of the Festival is for "each person to become of the importance of living culture and values. This experience, combined with religion and education is what brings inner and outer peace, which we can then transmit. "

The "Black and Afro-Costa Rican Culture Day" was established by executive decree in 1980, but it was 10 years ago that it began to be celebrated with more vigor, thanks to the creation of the "Festival of Black Culture" which this year reached its tenth anniversary. According to historians, the first black residents of Costa Rica arrived as slaves during the Spanish conquest, but there was a massive influx in 1872 with the construction of the railway between San Jose and Limon and the start of banana production.

In 1872 came the first ship packed with workers from Kingston, Jamaica to Puerto Limo, and it is estimated that one year later, there were about 1,000 Afro-Caribbeans living in Limon. By 1927, there were around 20,000 black people and today Afro-Caribbeans could make up half of the Limon population. Over the years the black population has also been mobilizing throughout the rest of the country and has distinguished itself in various areas such as politics, economics, sports and culture.