Have you heard of the "Stone Jala"?
This ancient rite delves into the roots of the BriBri community and its deep respect for nature and spirituality. We invite you to discover this fascinating tradition that has remained alive throughout the centuries.
In the BriBri culture, the stone is not just an inert element, but a symbol loaded with spiritual meaning. It represents values such as work, alliance, solidarity, friendship and, above all, respect for nature. This ceremony, which is carried out with the permission of Sibö, the main deity of the BriBri culture, involves transporting a stone from deep in the mountain to a specific place in the community.
Special preparations and rituals mark the days leading up to this celebration. The young people of the community embark on the search for suitable stones, large and flat, as well as other round ones that will be used to grind essential grains such as coffee, corn or rice. These stones are not simple objects; They are symbols of struggle and preservation of BriBri culture.
The stone "diet" begins with its cleaning and the use of special materials. Then, a nightly ritual is performed. At dawn, the community gathers to collect the stone and take it to the place designated by the Awá spiritual leader.
During this entire process, sounds are made with drums and the barilla is moved, in an act of deep respect for the stone and the tradition it embodies.
This ceremony, more than a simple act, is a living testimony of the BriBri's connection with nature and their unwavering commitment to the preservation of their ancestral culture. We invite you to enter this fascinating world and explore the richness of the BriBri culture through the "Jala de Piedra".
Photography by: Ricardo Araya Rojas