The Ox-cart Festival

Costa Rica is one place where traditions are cherished and given due admiration. Among the many festivals celebrated one after the other, the month of March brings along The Ox-cart Fest, a celebration so unique, that it has become one of the most anticipated cultural days of Costa Rica.

Costa Ricans celebrate the yearly event of Oxcart Parade on every second Sunday of March at San Antonio de Escazu. This parade famed as Dia de las Boyeros, or the Day of Oxcart Driver pays tribute to the drivers and their oxen of the past. It signifies the progress made by Costa Rica, as the oxcarts served to be their very first means of conveyance on roads. During the old times, these carts also known as carrettas were the prime means of carrying the coffee beans throughout the country, which took those ten to fifteen days. Their usual paths then emerged as sites for small businesses of the locals, where they established rest houses and inns for the drivers, giving an initial push to the economy.

The oxcart itself reshaped eventually, getting adapted according to its requirements. The muddy paths which made travelling slow and hard, led to the development of spokeless wheels that sliced their way between the wet muds without getting wedged. The decoration of the carts with paints was started in the twentieth century, by a wife of one of the cart makers, who ornamented her husband’s cart with beautiful patterns and colors. The trend took a hit, and since then every cart is treated like a canvas, and is painted in true Costa Rican colors. No design was ever duplicated and it became a practice. Also, every cart is prepared in such a way that when it moves, a peculiar sound is produced as its metal ring struck the hubnut of the wheel. This made every cart unique and enabled its owner to recognize his cart.

Now that the oxcarts are regarded as a pride of Costa Rica, every aspect of its construction is looked over thoroughly and only the finest quality of wood is opted for the making. UNESCO, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has professed these oxcarts as one of the world’s intangible heritage. Nowadays, these beautiful pieces of heritage are sold at an astounding price of $5000 each and baby versions are taken as souvenirs by tourists that attend the festival.

During the festival, hundreds of oxcarts arrive for the parade from all over Costa Rica. The festival is yet another representation of Costa Rica’s rich, ostentatious and grand culture. It displays creative, flamboyant and beautiful art of the oxcarts as they cruise their way across the San Antonio. The celebration is coupled with music, performances and fireworks after the parade that makes the day truly unforgettable. The event is alcohol free and it caters to all age groups, friends, families and art lovers.

Even though oxcarts are now outdated by new modes of transport, it is has become a source of joy and pride for its people as it reflects their history and marks their nation’s evolution in the most beautiful way possible. Be sure to check this festival out, when visiting the state of festivals, Costa Rica in March.

CONTACT:

Address: San Antonio de ESCAZÚ, Costa Rica.