San Isidro Labrador

In May 15^th, people from some parts, not all, in Costa Rica celebrate San Isidro Labrador’s day. As a result, there are many people who do not know who San Isidro is. He is patron saint of the farmers. His name is due to san Isidoro, a saint who is appreciated in Spain. San Isidro was known as a peasant who always went to church before working. There were some people who claim that San Isidro went to work late because of going to church, but certainly it seems that somebody else did his work while he was at the church. An angel most said.

Some places in which Costa Rica celebrate San Isidro’s day are Nandayure, Guanacaste, and in Santa Barbara and San Isidro, Heredia. This is celebrated each May 15^th and it is done in different ways. For instance, in Nandayure, people use to prepare a festival. There they have horse riding, bull riding, parades, dancing, and typical food. In San Isidro, people also prepare typical food and festival which are distinguished by the “cimarronas”.

Certainly, I am from Nandayure and this year I had the opportunity of being in Santa Barbara and in San Isidro. I could perceive the differences in celebration. It was a nice experience to share with different people and to know the way they celebrate this day. Sometimes, we take for granted that every tradition is commemorated in the same way, but it does not. We have to learn from others and of course to respect the way they do it if it is not the one we are accustom to. For example, I do not like “cimarronas”, but it does not mean that I have to criticize it. On the contrary, I could see and learn how many people enjoy this type of activities.

These differences reveal different perspectives which are

the explicit and implicit meanings shared by members of the culture, manifested in products and practices. These meanings reflect members’ perceptions of the world, the beliefs and values that they hold, and the norms, expectations, and attitudes that they bring to practices (Moran, 74)

As a result, each community has several ways in which traditions and celebrations are carried out because each community has dissimilar perspectives.