Date of Guanacaste's Annexation
Celebrated
on July 25
Origins
Commemorates the annexation
of the province of Guanacaste from Nicaragua in 1824 and celebrates Costa
Rica's core value of democracy.
Prior to 1824, Guanacaste was a part of Nicaragua;
however, in 1824 Guanacaste asked to be annexed to Costa Rica rather than
remain part of strife-torn Nicaragua. The fact that Nicaragua was active in
many civil wars at the time increased Guanacaste's desire to be annexed to
Costa Rica.
Demonstrating their pride Guanacastans possess the slogan,
De la Patria por Nuestra Voluntad
Traditions
In the week leading up to July 25, all the schools,
primary and secondary, have parades to the park at the center of town. These
children wear masks, walk on stilts, and dress up as a variety of creatures
ranging from monsters and skeletons to bulls and angels.
Folk dances compose another aspect of performance
in the Guanacaste Day celebration. The most popular bailes típicos (typical
dances) that occur throughout this celebration include:
the Cabillito nicoyano (Little Horse from
Nicoya)
El torito (The
Little Bull)
And the national step dance, the Punto
guanacasteco (Guanacaste dance step)
Typical Food
- Mazamorra
- Resbaladera
- Bizcocho
- Horchata
- Picadillos (Papa, aracache)
- Chicheme
- Mondongo en salsa
- Arroz de maíz
- Guiso de Pipián
Students:
Alejandro Zúñiga
Stephanie Morales
