Folklore in Costa Rica

Folklore

I am reading about the folk tales and legends about Costa Rica in order to understand the cultural background of Costa Rica more. Although most of the legends or folklore center on a darker them I went a different path because that is not something that I like. I hate watching or reading anything horror I tend to stay far away from it as much as I can. It took me a while to find a legend that I actually liked and did not seem scary in the slightest. I keep coming up with some very scary legends that I have no intention of reading. It wasn't until I came across a religious legend that was not scary in the slightest and that is what I will write about today. It took me a while to find it not because it is not very well known it is because it is not one of those scary stories that people seem to want to read about more than anything.

La Negrita 

History
Basilica de Los Angeles, Costa Rica

La Negrita appeared to a little girl who was in the woods in the early 17th century. As the story goes the girl came across the statue brought it home and the next day it was gone. When the little girl went back to the place where she found it was there standing. It kept on happening over again even when the little girl told a priest and he took the statue. In the end they decided on building a church for the statue. In 1792 La Negrita became the patroness of Cartago later of Costa Rica in 1824 and still today she is. On August 2 thousands of Costa Ricans flock to Cartago to patronize La Negrita commemorating her on her day. It is said that her healing powers have healed many of the people who come there on a daily. There are many pilgrimages to see the Saint in person. They go their for La Negrita to cure their illness or help them solve a problem that they have had. Many people start as early as July 25 for their pilgrimage walk to see La Negrita on August 2. There are many safety practices in place so everyone is able to participate. It is a long a mountainous journey that many people partake on. It is a 13-mile walk from San Jose to Cartago but there are still others that make the journey from farther away. There are many pilgrims coming from all over the thing being that there are very much putting their fate in the hands of the Virgen hoping she will grant them miracles. There are many that make the trip each and every year in order to get a miracle. By walking and praying they hope to accomplish what medicine cannot do for their illness. Then once one gets there, there are thousands of people in the plaza leading to the cathedral. There is a number of people selling items that relate back to La Negrita, rosaries and holders shaped like La Negrita for holy water. While for many it is a time for healing others it has become a time to take advantage of those in need. In the end this a story of standing up for one believes in.

Links and Sources
Article on La Negrita
Holy Relic
http://www.costaricajourneys.com/la-negrita/
Pilgrimage
Faithful Walk