Costa Rica celebrates its independence
Two days ago I passed a group of practicing percussionists on my way home. At six p.m. on the dot last night, fireworks exploded and screams filled Costa Rica’s Central Valley. El Grito de la Independencia kicked off the country’s 188th year of independence (gritar = to scream). Today, while sipping a late morning coffee, I heard loud booms and crashes in the distance ― more fireworks and percussion rehearsals. The September 15th Independence Day celebration was in full swing.
I took to the hot pavement at around 10:30 a.m. on this blue-skied afternoon with thousands of Costa Ricans. I didn’t have to walk far to join in the activities. Like many communities throughout the capital and the country, small parades filled the car-less streets. 
Parents walked alongside their kids who wore colorful, hand-stitched pollera dresses and some of the country’s traditional symbols, such as the carreta, or oxcart. Flags waved. Mascaradas, also known as payasos or clowns, danced to the beat of drums and xylophones. El Diablo occasionally paused to peer at parade-goers. Cheerleaders carrying pom poms and hoola hoops performed routines to the beat of a whistle. All while onlookers kept cool with popsicles and sorbets.
A few facts about Costa Rican independence:
- Costa Rica declared independence from Spain in 1821 along with Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.
- Costa Rica had four flags until one, tri-colored flag was designed and decreed on October 21, 1848.
- The National Shield, which adorns the flag received its last update in 1964 when seven stars representing each province were added. The seven provinces are: Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limón, Puntarenas and San José. The volcanoes represent the mountain ranges and the rising sun is a symbol of prosperity. The shield is wrapped in myrtle branches symbolizing peace.
- El Himno Nacional was created in 1852 when American and British diplomats came to visit. As the story goes, a young musician by the name of Manuel María Gutierrez had just one night to compose it. Accompanying words were not written until 1903.
Did anyone else celebrate Independence Day in Central America? What did you do?
