The Boruca community, nestled in southwestern Costa Rica, surrounded by mountains, forest, and river, is the guardian of a profound heritage that they have managed to preserve over time. In this process, Borucan women play an essential role through traditional weaving, where, using natural dyes and ancestral techniques, they express knowledge, symbols, and collective memory in each piece. This territory, far from the city's noise, holds a legacy that teaches us every day that one's own heritage is not lost when protected with love.
Their spirit of resistance is celebrated annually in the "Danza de los Diablitos" (Dance of the Little Devils), a dance where men from the community, wearing their hand-carved and hand-painted masks made of balsa wood or cedar, represent the struggle against Spanish colonization. In this way, the Borucas celebrate their unapologetic journey, affirming their truth and remaining deeply rooted in the origin of their history. With each act of remembrance, they strengthen their present and continue to leave a kind, firm, and living mark on the land.
The labor of love that goes into making the bags and purses pays homage to traditions that have survived for generations. Each step of the process reflects a deep connection to the land, family, and culture, creating pieces that are not only extraordinary but also rich in history and meaning.
Planting of plants
The foundation of natural dyeing begins with plants sown at home or found around the community. These plants hold not only practical but also spiritual value, symbolizing the close relationship they share with nature.
Harvesting of the plants
Depending on the season, plants are harvested. The parts of the plant used can vary between leaves, roots, and seeds. Harvesting is done when the plants are at their peak maturity, ensuring that the pigments are most concentrated and ready to be extracted.
Plant preparation
Preparing the plants is a process that requires patience and skill. The roots, leaves, or seeds are boiled in large pots over a fire, extracting the natural colors from the plants. The resulting liquid becomes a dye with which the fabrics will be colored.
Tissue preparation
The fabric to be dyed must be carefully prepared. The fabrics are generally cotton, handmade, as part of their textile culture. To ensure the dye sets correctly, a mordant is used, which helps the colors adhere better to the fabric fibers. This step is not only technical, but also ritual, as the material is respectfully prepared with natural elements.
Tissue staining
The moment to immerse the fabric in the dye bath is key to the process. In the community, each woman has her own style and knowledge about how long to leave the material in the dye to achieve the desired shade. The process can last several hours, and it is common for the fabric to be gently stirred to ensure that the color is absorbed uniformly. The final color can vary depending on the exposure time and the concentration of the dye, which makes each piece unique.
Drying and setting
After dyeing, the fabrics are hung outdoors to dry. This significant process takes place in open spaces where the wind and sun help set the color. Special care is taken to avoid too much sun, which could fade the colors over time. Setting the dye is an essential step for the colors to last, and sometimes salt or natural extracts are used to help maintain intensity.
Dye care
For colors to remain vibrant, caring for dyed fabric is essential. Garments dyed with natural dyes should be hand washed in cold water. Like the dyeing process, garment care has a ritual component and is passed down as part of ancestral knowledge. In addition, naturally dyed pieces often last many years if properly maintained, making them a legacy of the tribe's culture and wisdom.