Diablitos (Costa Rica)

The Diablitos game of Boruca is a traditional celebration of the Boruca culture, an indigenous people of Costa Rica. It takes place between December 30th and January 2nd of each year in the community of Boruca and on the first weekend of February in the town of Rey Curré, the two main settlements of the Boruca indigenous people located in the Buenos Aires canton of Puntarenas. This celebration is characterized by dances and games in which individuals wearing traditional Boruca masks, resembling devils, represent the Boruca indigenous people, while another person dressed as a bull represents the Spanish conquerors. The Diablitos game was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Costa Rica in 2017.

Its origin dates back to the Spanish conquest of Costa Rica and is considered one of the main festivals of the Boruca people. The Diablitos festival is the cultural activity with the highest participation and enthusiasm among the residents of Boruca and other indigenous communities such as Bribris, Cabécares, and Térrabas.