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At the time of European conquest, there were numerous Indian groups present in the Talamanca mountain range and surrounding coastal plains of southern Costa Rica and western Panama. Pursuing notably divergent strategies for cultural survival over the centuries, four of the Chibchan-speaking groups remain: the Boruca, Bribri and Cabécar (many on reservations in Costa Rica) and the Teribe (largely in Panama). Traditional subsistence was based on agriculture, supplemented by hunting and river fishing, but Talamancans are now largely integrated into their national economies, with fewer individuals dependent upon a rapidly diminishing supply of available land. Although some work in national government, or for national and international Indian advocacy agencies, self-government within communities is informal, with the opinions of elders and shamans respected.

Culture Summary

On the Indian tribes and languages of Costa Rica

Política y etnicidad en sociedades en transición en la zona sur de Costa Rica

Antonio Saldaña, last king of Talamanca

Struggle over meanings

Folk-lore of the Bribri and Brunka Indians in Costa Rica

Notes on the Bribri of Costa Rica

The Talamancan tribes of Costa Rica

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Author	Title	Publication Date
Bozzoli de Wille, María Eugenia	Culture Summary	2012
Gabb, William M.	On the Indian tribes and languages of Costa Rica	1876
Ibarra R., Eugenia (Ibarra Rojas)	Política y etnicidad en sociedades en transición en la zona sur de Costa Rica	1999
Meléndez Chaverri, Carlos	Antonio Saldaña, last king of Talamanca	1962
Nygren, Anja	Struggle over meanings	1998
Pittier, Henri	Folk-lore of the Bribri and Brunka Indians in Costa Rica	1903
Skinner, Alanson	Notes on the Bribri of Costa Rica	1920
Stone, Doris	The Talamancan tribes of Costa Rica	1962

Talamancans

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