Oxherding and Oxcart Tradition in Costa Rica

　　Proclamation: 2005

Member State(s): Costa Rica

Region: Latin America

Associated themes: Traditional knowledge and know-how; Rituals and festive events

　　The traditional oxcart, or carreta, is Costa Rica's most famous type of craft. From the mid-19th century, oxcarts were used to transport coffee beans from Costa Rica's central valley over the mountains to Puntarenas on the Pacific coast, a journey requiring 10-15 days. The oxcarts used spokeless wheels, a hybrid between the disc used by the Aztec and the spoked wheel introduced by the Spanish, to cut through the mud without becoming bogged down. In many cases, oxcarts were a family's only means of transport and often served as a symbol of social status.

　　The tradition of painting and decorating oxcarts started in the early 20th century. Originally, each region of Costa Rica had its own particular design, enabling the identification of the driver's origin by the painted patterns on the wheels. By the beginning of the 20th century, flowers, faces and even miniature landscapes appeared beside patterns of pointed stars. Annual contests were arranged to reward the most creative artists and are still held today.