On the Indian Tribes and Languages of Costa Rica (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from On the Indian Tribes and Languages of Costa Rica

The Indians of Costa Rica, with the hardly probable exception of the Guatusos, all belong to one closely allied family. I only make this possible exception in deference to the almost absolute ignorance which yet exists in regard to this isolated tribe.

Before entering on the consideration of the better known peoples of the southern part of the Republic, it may be as well to make a brief summary of what is known of the Guatnsos up to the present time. They occupy a part of the broad plains north and east of the high volcanic chain of North-Western Costa Rica, and south of the groat lake of Nicaragua, especially about the head waters of the Rio Frio. I have fortunately fallen in with various persons who have entered their country, and who have had an opportunity of seeing the people and their mode of life. The stories of some are so evidently exaggerated that I shall suppress them; but by carefully sifting the evidence and giving a due preponderance to the testimony of those whom I consider most reliable, I have arrived at the following results.

Thomas Bolt, the author of "The Naturalist in Nicaragua," says he has seen of them, five children and one large boy, "and they all had the common Indian features and hair; though it struck me that they appeared rather more intelligent than the generality of Indians."

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