The Bribri people

The Bribris, meaning "Invincibles", are native americans living in the largest virgin jungles of Central America, between Costa Rica and Panamà. A population with an ancient and rich tradition, they were here long before Columbus arrived and have never been militarily conquered. They still speak their own language, Bribri, which has relatively recently acquired a written form, too.

The struggle to keep the culture and the language alive is nevertheless still going, and it's not an easy one.

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In their traditional ways , the Bribris live in a very close relationship with the forest.

In the Bribri cosmogony is explained that Sibò, the Creator, gave them the mission to protect nature. The people were sent from another dimension in the form of seeds, which, landing on fertile tropical soil, grew into humans. The body therefore comes from and belongs to the Earth, but the soul is something beyond this world.

In order to fulfill their mission, Sibò revelead them the secrets of life in the jungle: how to survive, how to heal wounds and diseases, how to craft things and build houses, all within the jungle. In exchange of getting everything they needed to live, they had to take care of the forest and its inhabitants. Science might define it a symbiotic relationship. Both parties take something they need from each other but in a sustainable and durable way, making a long term relationship something positive for everybody.

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Care for the jungle and the jungle will care for you.

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From this point of view the Bribris really are the guardians of the land. What is mostly idealized in stories and fiction is a reality for this people. Elves or Ents from Lord of the Rings, does it ring a bell?

 

Many things are sacred for the Bribri people, but nothing is as sacred as cacao. It's central for the culture and it is used in a variety of ways. They define it "food of the gods" and it is used in ceremonies and rituals, from coming of age to spiritual purification. It is of course also made into chocolate and, in fact, we are talking about the world's first chocolate manufacturers. It is also used for more mundane things, such as oil, soap, butter, etc. It makes great shampoo. 

From a scientific point of view, it is known that cacao is the most nutritious food existing. It has a huge range of health benefits like:

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• Immune system boost

• Slowes down the aging process

• Dopamine intake

• Theobromine intake

• Serves as internal sunscreen if eaten regularly

• Aphrodisiac

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It is basically the Bribri's elixir of long life.

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