THE PEOPLE OF COSTA RICA, NICARAGUA, AND SALVADOR.
1800-1887.
CENTRAL AMERICAN POPULATION—ITS DIVISIONS—GENERAL
CHARACTERISTICS AND OCCUPATIONS—LAND GRANTS—EFFORTS
AT COLONIZATION—FAILURE OF FOREIGN SCHEMES—REJECTION
OF AMERICAN NEGROES—CHARACTER OF THE COSTA RICAN
PEOPLE—DWELLINGS—DRESS—FOOD—AMUSEMENTS—NICARAGUAN MEN AND
WOMEN—THEIR DOMESTIC LIFE—HOW THEY AMUSE THEMSELVES—PEOPLE OF
SALVADOR—THEIR CHARACTER AND MODE OF LIVING.
The total population of the five states of Central America in 1883 was
set down at about 2,831,847 souls,[XXVIII-1] divided as follows: in
Costa Rica, 182,073; Nicaragua, 400,000; Salvador, 612,813; Honduras,
360,000; and Guatemala, 1,276,961. The figures for Costa Rica and
Guatemala are the results of actual count, the others by computation.
The census of August 10, 1885, showed Costa Rica's population to be
189,425; that for Guatemala, January 1, 1884, exhibited 1,278,311, to
which must be added an increase during that year of 6,293.[XXVIII-2]
The population of the last-named state on June 30, 1885, has been
computed at 1,303,009.[XXVIII-3]
[Sidenote: COLONIZATION COMPANIES.]
The republic of Central America, as well as the several states
that formed it, has from the earliest days of its national autonomy
endeavored to encourage foreign immigration, offering inducements, such
as liberal grants of land, exemption from taxes and military service,
and the privileges of citizenship. At the same time care has been had
to respect the property and other rights of foreigners. Colonization
decrees were passed in 1831, 1834, and 1836,[XXVIII-4] the legislators
feeling as sanguine of good results as they were earnest and sincere
in their purpose. An English company, called the Eastern Coast of
Central America Commercial and Agricultural Company, organized in
London, was the first to enter the field, having obtained from the
state of Guatemala a grant of land which included the whole department
of Vera Paz.[XXVIII-5] Dishonesty presided over the operations of the
company.[XXVIII-6] About 300 persons, many of them from the refuse of
the population of London, were sent out, without proper preparations or
knowledge of the country, to places in or near the hot and insalubrious
coasts, where the unhappy creatures wandered, suffered, and almost all
perished. Meanwhile, the directors of the company labored in vain to
induce the British government to sanction their proceedings.[XXVIII-7]
The whole project ultimately failed, the directors being in their turn
deceived by the men in whom they had reposed most confidence. After
wasting many lives, and misappropriating some £40,000, lost of course
by the share-holders, the charter became forfeited for non-fulfilment
of its terms.[XXVIII-8]
Another colonization scheme was started in May 1842, and ratified
in a further convention of October 1843, between a Belgian company
established in Brussels, and the government of Guatemala.[XXVIII-9] The
company, under that contract, assumed the obligation of introducing at
least 100 families of five members each, annually, till 1,000 families
had been settled. The colonists were to be catholics, and from the
moment of their landing were to be considered Guatemalan citizens, with
all the rights and duties of such.[XXVIII-10]
All the articles of the agreement were most favorable to Guatemala,
and yet the company, which was under the patronage of the king of the
Belgians, signed it without his approval being first obtained. It is
known that his government disapproved many parts of it. It would seem
as if the Belgians were bent on getting possession of the district on
any terms, hoping afterward to retain it by negotiation as a Belgian
colony. The company fulfilled the conditions for the first two years,
but the great mortality of colonists at Santo Tomás made it impossible
to induce others to emigrate; and though the Belgian government
rendered pecuniary aid to the amount of $200,000, the settlement shared
the fate of the one attempted by the British in 1836. The company was
dissolved, and the government of Guatemala resumed possession of the
district, including the port of Santo Tomás.[XXVIII-11]
[Sidenote: IMMIGRATION AND COLONIZATION]
Since that time Guatemala has not failed to pass laws for the
encouragement of foreign immigration, and the protection of foreign
settlers.[XXVIII-12] In 1883 the government entered into a contract
with F. F. Millen to introduce 10,000 immigrants from Europe or the
United States, the former agreeing to give each immigrant, of upwards
of 21 or under 50 years of age, a grant of 45 hectáreas of land,
upon his complying with the terms of it.[XXVIII-13] Vain efforts had
been made by the American government prior to the civil war to obtain
permission from the Central American republics for the colonization,
under its patronage on their waste land, of negroes voluntarily
emigrating from those states. The scheme was opposed in toto by the
leading men.[XXVIII-14]
In 1867 and 1868 a considerable number of immigrants, many of whom were
Americans and some Cubans, settled in Honduras, the government by its
liberal laws and other facilities encouraging foreign immigration. This
policy it has continued to pursue, and in late years many foreigners
have been drawn to the country by the discovery of valuable gold
placers.[XXVIII-15]
Salvador has done little or nothing toward increasing her population
by immigration; but foreigners of good moral character and industrious
habits are always welcomed and protected in their rights. They can also
become naturalized after five years' residence, or at the end of three
years by contracting marriage with a native of the state.
In Nicaragua the executive was authorized on the 6th of May, 1853, to
enter into colonization contracts.[XXVIII-16] One such was made with
James Welsh May 11, 1859, and another with Adolph Adlesberg May 11,
1861, neither of which had effect.[XXVIII-17]
A colonization decree was issued by President Rivas, November 23, 1855,
granting each immigrant 250 acres of public land, and 100 additional to
each family.[XXVIII-18] The liberality of the grants, together with the
facilities then afforded by the Transit route brought a rapid increase
of immigration. In 1861 a contract to foster colonization was made with
Gottel.[XXVIII-19] Again, on the 7th of March, 1865, an immigration
law was enacted granting a number of privileges to persons availing
themselves of it. A number of Americans came, and in March 1867 the
town of Guzman was founded.[XXVIII-20]
The government of Costa Rica has often offered inducements, in the
way of land grants, for European immigration.[XXVIII-21] It must be
said, however, that the Costa Ricans are jealous of foreign influence,
and though willing to have the benefits of foreign capital, are
not disposed to share with foreigners the wealth which that capital
develops. Nevertheless, foreigners are permitted to hold real and other
kinds of property, and to become citizens of the country.[XXVIII-22]
[Sidenote: LAND GRANTS.]
In 1849 a grant of land of 20 leagues in length by 12 in breadth
was made to a French company for 1,000 colonists.[XXVIII-23] The
conditions of the contract were not carried out, though a considerable
number of immigrants formed under it an establishment. The project
failed.[XXVIII-24] In the fall of 1850, 51 persons, after two months'
sail from Bremen, arrived at San Juan del Norte, and underwent great
hardships and privations to reach San José. After three years only
three families remained.[XXVIII-25]
A similar grant to that of the French company was made on the Atlantic
coast to a British company,[XXVIII-26] which had no effect.
Still another concession was made May 7, 1852, to a German company,
organized at Berlin, who seemed to be actuated by a desire to carry
out their obligations, even though the people and government of
Costa Rica early showed a disposition to look upon their scheme with
disfavor.[XXVIII-27] Baron Bülow was the director of the company. He
died in 1856, and in all probability his enterprise died with him.
Another attempt was made by Crisanto Medina, to whom a large grant of
land was made for colonization purposes, at Miravalles, at the foot
of the volcano of that name. The grant embraced a fine plateau about
2,500 feet above the sea.[XXVIII-28] In 1852 thirty-seven Germans were
settled there, and possibly a few more came afterward, but the project
was abandoned.[XXVIII-29]
In 1856 there was an arrival of French immigrants.[XXVIII-30] On the
23d of April, 1858, another colonization law was passed.[XXVIII-31] The
idea of augmenting the population by offering inducements to foreign
immigrants has not been abandoned. Thus we see further contracts
entered into with private parties to that end.[XXVIII-32]
[Sidenote: CLASS DISTINCTIONS.]
The most numerous class of population in Central America, next to
the pure Indians, are the ladinos, most of whom are half-breeds,
which include the mestizos, mulattoes, quadroons, octoroons, and
zambos.[XXVIII-33] The mestizos are of a light yellow hue; numbers of
them, however, are found as white as the natives of southern Europe.
They are generally a fine-looking race of men, resembling in bodily
and mental features the creoles or pure native whites, though more
hardy. In temperament they are passionate, revengeful, treacherous, and
cowardly, ambitious and yet lazy, sensuous, and in a majority of cases,
at least in the lower class, devoid of moral principle. The pure Indian
is more reliable than the mestizo, the latter having all the vices of
the two races out of which he sprang.
The ladino class furnishes the domestic servants, muleteers, small
farmers and tenants, herdsmen, and not a few beggars and robbers. In
revolutionary times many of its numbers have been banditti, preying,
under the garb of guerillamen, upon both friend and foe. A considerable
number of ladinos, however, become mechanics and traders, and many
have attained high positions in the church and the state, and become
distinguished for their talents and abilities.[XXVIII-34] The zambos
and other mixtures of the negro race, like most of the negroes and
mulattoes, reside in the coast districts. They do the heaviest work in
the towns, and often engage in agriculture.
The Creoles, or pure native whites, calling themselves Americans,
though less numerous, form the ruling class. In the towns they are
the leading element, filling the most desirable positions, such as
those of land and mine owners, merchants, manufacturers, lawyers,
physicians, mechanics, officials, and higher clergy.[XXVIII-35] The
creole is generally well built, and of about medium height, with a
pleasing expression of countenance. His eyes are usually black like
his hair and beard. He lacks the steadfastness of the Anglo-Saxon,
and the trustworthiness of the German, often allowing himself to
be swayed by passion and caprice. There are, nevertheless, many
honorable exceptions, which are probably the result of education and
contact with the people of other and older nations. Indeed, whatever
may have been the defects of character of the creole, when he lived
comparatively isolated from the world, and entertained the conceit of
his own excellence and superiority, a great change for the better is
noticeable in many individuals in after years, since Central America
has been enjoying facilities of communication with other peoples, which
has enabled her sons and daughters to study their ways, and to adopt
whatever is good in them, not to mention the bad ways which have also
taken root.
* * * * *
The population of Costa Rica is represented to be nearly all white,
the Indians not being numerous, and the negroes and mixed breeds
living on the coast.[XXVIII-36] The Costa Ricans are a well-formed
people. There is, perhaps, not as much manly dignity and female grace
as are yet to be found in Spain; nor is the color of their females,
as a rule, to be compared with that of their European sisters; but
what is lacking in that is fully compensated by elegance of form,
regularity of features, splendid eyes, and an abundance of glossy
hair,[XXVIII-37] and not least by their affability and sweetness of
manner. The people are generally intelligent, and noted for the absence
of hauteur in their manner.[XXVIII-38] They are sedate, industrious,
economical, fairly honest,[XXVIII-39] and peaceable. Upon occasions
they have shown themselves possessed of good soldierly qualities when
their independence or rights have been in peril, as during Walker's
filibuster war; but they cannot be called a warlike people.[XXVIII-40]
They are not ambitious, aspiring to a moderate independence to be
attained without an excessive effort. Indigence is almost unknown. All
Costa Ricans own property of some kind, and even the humblest of them
has the ambition of possessing a piece of land.
[Sidenote: DOMESTIC AFFAIRS]
The houses of the wealthy and well-to-do are quite comfortable.
They are built with ordinary doors and windows, and of one or two
stories.[XXVIII-41] Window-glass is only used in the better houses of
the principal cities. In the smaller towns windows are dispensed with
as superfluous. Carpets are to be found in a few houses of the wealthy,
or of foreigners. Instead of them, floors are covered with matting. The
rich exhibit paintings or engravings on their walls. The houses of the
poor are comfortless.[XXVIII-42]
The higher classes enjoy the pleasures of the table. In the populous
cities inns are kept for the better class of travellers, at which
a tolerably good table is provided. The usual food of the peasants
and other poor people consists of tasajo, or jerked beef, black
beans, corn, rice, tortillas, plantains, and other fruits.[XXVIII-43]
Intoxication is prevalent among the lower classes. Guaro, or
aguardiente, and gin are deemed a necessity for the peasant and
laborer. With the action of the heat and the poor food, liquor soon
overpowers him.[XXVIII-44]
Saturday is the day upon which the cities are supplied with comestibles
and other commodities for the week. Natives of both sexes and all
ages throng the market-places, particularly in San José,[XXVIII-45]
bringing vegetables, fruits, and other food for the table. Others
bring manufactured articles, like earthen-ware, hammocks, charcoal,
hats, rebozos, etc.[XXVIII-46] From sunrise till noon the market-places
are crammed with sellers and buyers. The ladies of all ranks do their
own marketing, and are seen, basket on arm and bareheaded, strolling
about and driving bargains. The market-women move rapidly, carrying
goods on their heads or in strings. The better class of women follow
in their dress the fashions of Europe, except that they wear no hats.
The females of the lower classes have their own mode of dress, which is
generally more studied than in other places of Central America. Some
of them wear ear-rings and expensive collars, a jipijapa hat costing
$16. The gowns are of muslin, printed calico, or some other light
material, and cover half a dozen embroidered petticoats. The hair is
divided into two tresses hanging down behind, and in the braids runs
a bright-colored ribbon. Others wear on the head a rebozo, which like
the hat is significant of the taste or wealth of the wearer.[XXVIII-47]
Only a few among them complete this studied toilet with shoes or
boots. The men bring their mules, or carts, or merely their machetes.
They generally wear a coarse cloth coat and a pair of drill or cotton
trousers. The hat varies; it is either of straw, otter, or felt.
Most of the people of the interior go barefooted, but carry plenty
of pesos in their pockets and make them jingle. After purchasing
in the market-place such articles as they need, which go under the
general term habilitaciones, and selling their products, they seek the
vinaterías or pulperías, and invite one another to drink.
The great amusement of Costa Rica is gambling. The people have a
command of money, and their only ways of spending it, to afford them
entertainment, are the church, the bottle, and gambling.[XXVIII-48]
On Sundays and feast-days after the church service[XXVIII-49] the men
resort to the cockpit, many staking from $200 to $500 on the result of
a fight between two cocks.[XXVIII-50]
* * * * *
[Sidenote: NICARAGUAN SOCIETY.]
The Nicaraguan women of pure Spanish stock are quite fair, and have
the embonpoint characterizing the sex under the tropics. Many of them
are handsome, having an oval face, regular features, large and lustrous
black eyes, small mouth, good teeth, small hands and feet; and withal
a low but clear voice. Some of the descendants of white and Indian
of the higher class are also quite beautiful. The Indian girl with
her full lithe figure, long glossy hair, and erect walk should not
be overlooked.[XXVIII-51] Nicaraguan society has a peculiar charm and
grace, with little conventionality. Both men and women of all classes
are extremely courteous.[XXVIII-52] Strangers are well received, if
decently clad, well-mannered, and of good behavior. They will find
it rather difficult to obtain the privilege of visiting respectable
families. When a young man desires to pay his addresses to a young
lady, he applies for the permission of her parents, guardian, or
relations, as the case may be. Marriages are invariably according to
the rites of the catholic church. Burials of members of rich families
are in churches.[XXVIII-53]
The Nicaraguans of the higher order—there is no middle one—cannot be
credited with industrious habits. Life is easy with them, and the
climate is enervating. So they spend much of their time lying in a
hammock and smoking cigarettes.[XXVIII-54] The lower order in the towns
follow the example, at least the male portion. The peasantry, however,
is docile and fairly industrious, and may be called an excellent rural
population. The peon system is unknown in Nicaragua.
The Nicaraguan people have a fine muscular development, and a
mild soft expression. Though not warlike, they are brave, and will
fight desperately when reduced to it by necessity. The masses are
not so demoralized as some travellers would have us believe them.
Crimes are relatively rare, and the public roads are safe from
highwaymen.[XXVIII-55] A servant may steal a small amount, or some
object thrown in his way, and yet will convey a large sum of money to
a long distance without thinking of running away with it. It must be
confessed that there is too much proneness to condone offences against
morality and honor.[XXVIII-56]
[Sidenote: DRESS AND DWELLINGS.]
There is no national costume. The wealthy follow to some extent
to European fashions, generally suppressing the silk hat, which
is replaced with any hat that is broad-brimmed and suited to the
climate.[XXVIII-57] Men of the lower class go barefooted, or wear the
caite, which is a species of sandal. The rest of their dress is a pair
of cotton trousers, frequently not reaching lower than the knees, a
shirt, its lower part often outside the trousers, and a palm-leaf hat.
There are many fine horsemen in Nicaragua, as well as in all Central
America. A caballero is in his element when mounted on a spirited,
champing horse, with a pellon thrown over the saddle, which is the
Mexican saddle modified and with high peaks. He carries also to
complete his equipment a pair of bolsters and pistols.[XXVIII-58]
Women imitate the European summer costumes, but use no hat except when
riding on horseback. They generally appear in a loose and flowing
dress, with neck and arms exposed. A light shawl is thrown over the
shoulders, or worn over the head at church. A red or purple sash may
be wound around the waist, and a narrow golden band, or a string of
pearls extending around the forehead and binding the hair, which often
falls in luxuriant waves over the shoulders. The usual way of dressing
the hair is to have two braids knotted behind the head, and to place
a few natural flowers in it. The feet are incased in satin slippers.
The women of the lower class use a petticoat without waist, covering
the undergarments. A floating short shirt quite open in the upper
part, and almost sleeveless hardly concealing the bust. In the street
they wrap themselves in a rebozo. Stockings and shoes are worn only in
cities.[XXVIII-59]
The dwellings of the poor in the country are usually of canes thatched
with palms, many of them open at the sides, and with the bare earth for
floors. Some of them have the canes plastered over, and whitewashed,
with tile roofs, or otherwise improved. Those of large proprietors are
strongly built, neat, comfortable, and generally cool. In the towns
there are many dwellings of the same character; but the residences
of the wealthier class are built of adobes, of one story, enclosing
large courts which are entered under archways, these being frequently
constructed with much beauty.[XXVIII-60] The interior is divided into
large rooms around the gallery or corridor. The walls are whitened
on both sides. One of the rooms is used as a parlor, the others for
different purposes.[XXVIII-61] The furniture is generally of home
manufacture and simple enough.[XXVIII-62] The house is lighted with
stearine candles, imported or common tallow dips. Petroleum and lamps
have also been introduced.[XXVIII-63]
[Sidenote: FOOD AND DRINK.]
The characteristics of Nicaraguan life are sobriety and uniformity of
food.[XXVIII-64] Families make a practice of not laying in supplies,
but purchase what they need from day to day. Some buy their food
already cooked.
The custom of extending invitations to dinner with one's family, so
common in other countries, does not obtain in Nicaragua, except among
relatives or very intimate friends. Men are asked to eat only on
special occasions, when banquets are given, at which the English custom
of giving toasts is followed.
Amusements are few in Nicaragua. However, the upper classes have their
tertulias and balls, often improvised, at which the polka, waltz,
bolero, and other well-known Spanish dances are performed with grace
and spirit. The lower classes frequently have fandangoes and other
characteristic dances. There is no place of general resort for the
better classes, unless it is the billiard-room, which serves alike as a
gambling-den.[XXVIII-65] The cockpit is in full operation every Sunday,
the people being fond of the amusement, and even the most respectable
indulge in it.[XXVIII-66] Gambling at monte and other games of hazard
is common enough, but the vice has not attained the development noticed
in other parts of Spanish America.[XXVIII-67] It is certainly conducted
with less publicity.
There are neither bull-pits nor professional bull-fighters. Now and
then a performance of the kind takes place in some plaza; the bull is
much worried, but not killed.[XXVIII-68]
* * * * *
After describing the manners and customs of the Nicaraguans, there is
but little left to say of their neighbors the Salvadorans, who resemble
them in most characteristics. It must be acknowledged, however, that
the people of Salvador are entitled to the first rank in Central
America for their industry, general intelligence, and love of order.
Individual rights are respected among them, and well-behaved foreigners
are at all times made welcome. The Salvadorans seem to understand what
are the duties of republicans.[XXVIII-69]
The population of Salvador consists of Indians, ladinos, and zambos.
The ladinos comprise the whites, of which class the proportion is
small, and the several mixtures of white and Indian. The mode of living
of the latter scarcely differs from that of the Nicaraguans or other
Central Americans of the same standing.
[Sidenote: SALVADORAN SOCIETY.]
The aboriginal peoples have undergone considerable modification from
the three centuries of contact with the white men, and of subjugation
to the Spanish rulers. But there are towns, even near San Salvador, the
capital, which have retained many of their primitive customs, and where
the aboriginal blood has suffered but little, if any, intermixture. The
native language has fallen into disuse in most places, and only a few
words, also accepted by the whites, are retained.[XXVIII-70] The region
known as costa del bálsamo[XXVIII-71] is entirely occupied by Nahua
nations, whose habits have scarcely changed since the conquest. They
are not absolutely hostile to the Europeans, but certainly dislike any
intrusion on their part. They are an industrious people.
The aboriginal Salvadoran is, as a rule, slender in form but muscular.
Some of the women have fine figures and graceful carriage; they walk
with a firm step and body erect. They are, both men and women, gentle,
affable, and rather hospitable; their temperament is melancholy and
dreamy. They are well-disposed toward foreigners, and though they will
not tolerate any doubt as to the purity of their blood, yet consider
themselves insulted by being called indios. They also look upon the
whites and ladinos as usurpers in the land. They are much given to
boasting of their courage and generosity, and wish to be taken for
a brave people. The Indian possesses a certain quantum of honesty,
but will fulfil his contracts faithfully when his interests do not
suffer by it; otherwise, he will find a loop-hole of escape. He cannot
understand the value put by others on capital; his present needs being
covered, he cares nothing for the superfluous.[XXVIII-72]
The men are quite reserved in their manner; the women are different.
Their desire to have children by white men promotes looseness. They do
not see any dishonor in having foreign lovers, and children born out
of wedlock. Nearly all the Indians can read and write, and have some
knowledge of arithmetic.
The dress of the Salvadoran Indians is extremely simple; probably the
same as that worn by their ancestors. The women use a piece of blue
cotton wrapped round the waist, and reaching only a little below the
knees; the upper part of the body being scantily covered with a sort
of chemise with an aperture at the top for the head, and open at the
sides.[XXVIII-73] The head-dress consists of two long tresses of their
own black hair, interlaced with a red ribbon, and wreathed round the
head like a turban. They wear neither shoes nor stockings. The men
generally have caites to their feet. Their dress is a light suit of
cotton, a straw hat or colored kerchief on the head, and a chamarra of
coarse cloth, which answers all the purposes of cloak, blanket, carpet,
and bed.
The dwellings are simple and comfortless; indeed, they seem to have
been put up with the expectation of their being tumbled down at any
moment by earthquakes.
[Sidenote: MUSIC AND SKY-ROCKETS.]
The men leave to the women all the cares of the house; the latter,
consequently, lead a laborious and hard life. Their food consists
of eggs, venison, tortillas, beans, rice, and fruit. They are fond
of coffee, and the men indulge freely in the use of chicha, rum, and
every other alcoholic drink that comes in their way. The women, on the
contrary, are strictly sober.[XXVIII-74] Like all other christianized
Indians, they devote much of their time and substance to religious
feasts, which are generally followed by carousals and gambling,
cock-fighting being a prevalent amusement. They have a decided liking
for music, accompanying their sad strains with the guitar, accordion,
marimba, or dulcema. The practice of burning fire-crackers and letting
off sky-rockets is quite common upon every occasion, whether of
rejoicing or mourning. At funerals they let off rockets as they march
along to the cemetery.[XXVIII-75]