The Afro – Caribbean and Afro – Costa Rican Culture day, is held every August 31. On this day the African heart of Limon roars with all its strength, rhythm and joy, where its people smiles shows how proud they feel of their roots. They hold a parade of colourful dresses and costumes, ornaments, hairstyles and headdresses, transporting us to the distant lands of Africa and to another era lived by their ancestors in the West Indies, reflecting the true origin of the majority of Limon´s population. This parade covers the city with lots of people and numerous floats that vibrate with the sound of their bands and drums, transmitting their energy to the rest of the people of Limon which is grouped along its streets, enjoying a festival under a code of sympathy, kindness, respect and originality.

The Afro Caribbean Day was established in Costa Rica by an executive decree during the administration of Don Rodrigo Carazo, so as to recover the value of Afro-Caribbean culture, remembering the role it has played in the country, in order to preserve and transmit its legacy to future generations. August 31st was chosen to commemorate the First International Convention on the Status of Blacks, which ended August 31, 1920 in New York, where “The Declarations of the rights of Afro – Americans” was enacted, idea promoted by Marcus Garvey, who defended the idea of Africa as the legitimate homeland of all blacks, who wanted to bring the fellowship of Afro – Americans among themselves and between them and all ethnicities. 

The Afro – Costa Rican history is full of great men and women, dreams and struggles for freedom, sorrows, hopes and glories. Their work and efforts contributed greatly to the economic development and their cultural contribution spread deeply into the country. Nowadays they continue enhancing it and teaching us to value and respect the ethnic diversity of Costa Rica as their ancestors did. 

Fotografias de Paco Salmerón

Texto de Juan Carlos Lorite y Paco Salmerón