Cultural aspects that identify the Chorotega indigenous people of Northern Central Nicaragua

Abstract

Cultural aspects that identify the Chorotega Indigenous People of northern central Nicaragua were studied, with the objective of knowing their characteristics, problems and needs from a cultural perspective. Qualitative methods and techniques were applied, the collection of information was carried out with the use of interview techniques, documentary review with instruments previously validated by groups of experts, for the analysis of the information, triangulation of the information was used and this was processed. by reductive analysis in order to create definition criteria, which are systematically reduced until a central category is achieved. Cultural practices are linked to hunting and gathering, some arts practices originating from basketry, pottery, lithics and textiles are preserved. Other aspects that stand out the most in daily life are those related to local festivals dedicated to figures of the Catholic saints (invocations of the Virgin and saints) and to the celebration of Catholic rites; as well as ancestral agricultural practices, which are the axis of the survival economy and are related to the lunar cycles and the seasons of the year. They are considered part of their identity and are preserved through oral tradition since they contain wisdom about plants, agricultural cycles, natural phenomena, some place names, food recipes, music, legends, and beliefs. The most outstanding cultural expression is the artisanal skill and knowledge that is manifested in clay work, obtaining utensils for domestic use.