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Wildlife

Nicoyans Honor Tradition of Chopping Wood for the Virgin of Guadalupe

by oliver perez

On Saturday, November 12th, Nicoyans woke up early to the sound of fireworks set off to celebrate the ceremonial chopping of firewood. With this festivity, honor is paid to the Virgin of Guadalupe, patroness of Nicoya, and it is carried out in strict adherence to the aboriginal tradition of the Chorotegas, who originated the custom. 

At 3 in the morning, men and women arrived at the Virgin’s shrine to have a breakfast of coffee, rosquillas and chicheme (a drink made from purple corn). 

The wood chopping is an activity that is carried out every year during the second Saturday of November. By aboriginal tradition, this date shouldn’t be later than November 14th. 

During this attractive activity, they prepare all the firewood that will be used during the fiestas of the Virgin of Guadalupe during the next year (2012), between the 10th and 12th of December. The firewood utilized during 2011 was collected the previous year.  

The activity commenced early, when the men took their axes and went looking for the wood, while a group of women took charge of preparing the lunch and the drinks that are distributed among visitors and workers. 

A farm that is three kilometers to the south of the city completed the task of chopping and splitting the necessary firewood, almost 6,000 kilograms (13,200 pounds). 

Just as tradition dictates, 24 pairs of oxen entered to the city at noon, under a blazing sun, followed by 60 horseback riders, 50 lassoers and around 2,500 people who came to enjoy this activity.  

A lunch awaited the participants, offered by Alfonso Aguirre, the named superintendent or head of the Virgin’s shrine. There the people ate beef and pork, tortillas and rice, accompanied by chicheme and tiste (a beverage made from cocoa). 

“It’s satisfying that there are still people who like this tradition. I like that many young people join this tradition and want to preserve it,” indicated the superintendent Aguirre. 

Many people worked as volunteers to collaborate with this activity, such as the shrine’s woodcutting committee, the Ministry of Security, the Ministry of Health and, as sponsor, Coopealianza.

 
Chicheme
   
 
   
 

 

 

 

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Nosara Expects to Have its Garbage Truck Working Again by Tuesday

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VON Survey Results

The Voice of Nosara would like to thank our readers who participated in our 2011 reader survey in May and June, and we are pleased to report some of the results from the survey. The survey was designed to identify reader demographics, reading habits, concerns and suggestions in order to improve VON's service to the community and to advertisers.

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