Mascaradas
Who are some of the characters represented in the mascaradas?
La Giganta, el Pisuicas, la Segua, la Muerte, etc
Why are legends told or created?
To warn about the dangers of certain behaviors (moral lessons), inspire art and literature, and preserve Costa Rican cultural identity and beliefs.
What percentage of the world’s biodiversity is found in Costa Rica?
5%
Name three materials used to make the masks
Clay, paint, white glue, papier-mâché, putty, wire, etc.
Tell a story or legend that few people know — or something mysterious that happened to someone you know.
Interactive/free response question!
In how many FIFA World Cups has Costa Rica participated?
Six — Italy 1990, Korea-Japan 2002, Germany 2006, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022.
In what year was the National Day of La Mascarada declared?
1996
In the legend of La Carreta sin Bueyes, what does the ghost represent?
Greed and selfishness. It appears near the home of a person who has become greedy or just died from avarice.
What is the tallest volcano in Costa Rica?
Irazú Volcano — 3,432 meters above sea level.
In which places do the main mask-makers of Costa Rica live?
Mainly in Aserrí, Barva, Santa Bárbara, and other towns in Heredia; also Desamparados, San Lorenzo de San Joaquín de Flores, San Antonio de Escazú, Tres Ríos, Palmares, and Santa Cruz de Guanacaste.
Name seven well-known Costa Rican legends.
La Llorona, El Cadejos, La Segua, La Tulevieja, La Carreta sin Bueyes, El Padre sin Cabeza, and El Mico Malo.
In what year was public lighting electrified in Costa Rica?
1884 — it was one of the first three countries in the world to do so (after New York in 1882 and Paris in 1883).
Is La Mascarada considered a national symbol?
Yes, it was declared in 2022.
How many versions of the supernatural being El Cadejos exist?
Two — a white dog (protector) and a black dog (punisher).
What is the largest island in Costa Rica?
Isla Calero, located in the north of Costa Rica, with an area of 151 km².