The Chiricanos constitute one of the most important ethnic groups in the cultural conformation of the Osa population, Buenos Aires, Golfito and southern Costa Rica. The Chiricano migrations took place from the middle of the nineteenth century until the beginning of the twentieth century. There were several causes. On the Costa Rican side there were large extensions of land not in use, absence of state presence and lack of borderline definition. Amador, It is said that the colonizing process of the Osa peninsula was linked in the beginning with Chiricano migratory surges.
Their presence was always friendly; they did not form large groups and had no political importance. The Chiricanos settled gradually, though in a disperse fashion, along the east coast of the Peninsula, and less intensely around the Golfo. The Chiricanos were characterized by a strong intermingling where Negroes, mulattos, sambos, Indians, and whites are mixed.
This ethnical blend resulted in a rich cultural background that the Chiricano people carry, and contributes to the South of Costa Rica. The fact of their self-sufficiency has been pointed out, shown in the artisanal production of soap, candles, medicines, furniture, and other utensils. Of the Chiricanos it is said they learned from the Indians their peculiar ways of taming horses, mounting steers and using them to haul loads. Another Chiricano feature is their interest in chicken coops, and horse races.
Finally, the Chiricanos were integrated to Costa Rican society. Many of these cultural features have disappeared or remain there, waiting for some cultural movement to awaken and bring back to life the Chiricano traditions in our land. Strangely, the borucas conserve the saloma and accordion of Chiricano origin present in the Juego de los Diablitos. During the colony, the Spanish did not establish cities in the South. During the first years of the Republic the national government could not settle towns in that region.
El Cerro de la Muerte constituted a difficult barrier to overcome since it was an obstacle to the colonization of that region. It was not before the second half of the nineteenth century when residents of the Central Valley started regarding the South seriously. Various factors motivated the colonization. In second place, the State generated laws for the concession of lands and promoted the creation of roads to integrate the southern zone of the nation.
