ESCAZU YOUNGEST LAYS CLAIM TO
By Elise Sonrayof the A.M. Costa, 18 April 2008
Immortalized A.M. Costa Rica/Helen Thompson
in paint
Ox cart moves past a
new mural
celebrating the
tradition on lower
Avenida 2 in
downtown San José
Pablo Sandí Madrigal is 10 years old. He carries a 6-foot, steel-tipped stick. The two big oxen he orders around are nearly as high at the shoulders as the stick. But young Sandí still is the boss.
The Santa Antonio de Escazú resident was one of hundreds of boyeros or oxcart handlers who took to the streets Sunday in the traditional opening of the Christmas season: the entrance of the saints into San José.
Sandi posed for pictures in between yelling commands to the bueyes. "Esa!" means stop, and "Gui!" means go in the boyero-buey language. Young Sandi used both commands abundantly.
"This is something very special for me" said Sandi's father, Hernando. "I give thanks to God we are here." Hernando Sandi, a 52-year-old farmer from San Antonio, said this day always means a lot to him. But today was especially significant, he said, as with glistening eyes he watched his son: "I am 100 percent proud."
Young Sandí said with conviction that he was the youngest boyero in the parade and that he had been in training for three-and-a-half years. Young Sandí and other carthandlers covered the distance from Parque la Sabana to Avenida 2 in the downtown Sunday morning.
Hundreds of sturdy "bueyes," or oxen, pulled brightly painted carts and occasionally received a sharp rap on the muzzle by their handlers. This year marked San Jose's 11th parade of "Santos y Boyeros" or saints and ox-handlers.
A.M. Costa Rica/Elise Sonray
Pablo Sandí Madrigal poses with
his team of oxen
The parade emphasizes the importance of farmers and agriculture and shows their significance throughout Costa Rica's history.
This day shows the support of San José to the people of Costa Rica and the farmers around the country, said San José Mayor Johnny Araya Monge.
"We have a great relationship with the farmers, and this is a way we can help them and show our support," said Araya.
A new dimension was added to the parade this year with over 350 folk dancers from various parts of the country. Towering mascaradas also ran through the street greeting spectators and chasing children.
The saints are wooden statues hauled in the ox carts. A life-size San José, the father of Jesus, was in the first cart leading the way. He is the patron of the municipality.
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