The Painted Oxcart
Since early in
the Nineteenth Century, the oxcart has been a versatile vehicle of
transportation as well as recreation in rural Costa Rica. It has been used to
relocate entire families and literally every variety of goods this country has
to offer. But it is the elaborate, varied and colorful artistic designs of
these vehicles that distinguish them from oxcarts from any other Latin American
society.
In her new book,
“The Painted Oxcart”, Michael Sims traces the history of the Costa Rican oxcart
and how it came to be a tradition to decorate them so uniquely and elaborately.
She alone is responsible for every bit of the extensive research it took to
compile this book, taking all the photographs and writing all the text as well.
Ms. Sims relocated to Costa
Rica more than thirty years ago. She
currently has her own line of jewelry, called Costa Rica Creatures, teaches a
handicraft workshop in Tortuguero, an art workshop for at-risk kids in San Jose, and art classes at the European School
in Heredia. Busy gal, Michael Sims.
It was in the art
class in Heredia in 2001 that she gave the students an assignment to design
their own oxcart, bearing each child’s personal design. After visiting several
Costa Rican book stores, Michael was surprised to discover how very little had
been written on the subject of oxcarts. Ultimately, the kids used postcards as
models for guides, and the idea for the book was hatched. During her research, Michael discovered an
entire cultural history revolving around these carts, including the expected
photographs, of course, but an extensive history of poems and songs as well. The
book opens with a history of the migration of the oxcart, following the
industrious vehicle from its introduction in Argentina,
then north through South America, into Panama
and north through Central America, into Mexico
and even California.
At one time, there was such an intense use of the vehicle that it became enough
of a thriving industry that taxes were levied on the boyeros, or oxcart
drivers.
The middle and
bulkiest section of Ms. Sim’s book is devoted to the culture and legend of the
oxcart. And it is in this section that the reader is able to view the romantic
tie-in of the vehicle with Costa
Rica’s history, eventually evolving into a
symbol of the Costa Rican lifestyle. And it is in this “beefy” section that the
most detailed, colorful and varied photos are displayed.
The third and
final section of “The Painted Oxcart” describes and documents the evolution of
the oxcart, looks at the history of its assembly practices and has a very nice
glossary of Spanish colloquialisms and slang based around the oxcart, in all
its implications. Michael Sims has found her niche, and has chosen to share
that passion with the public in a satisfying way.
Signed copies of
“The Painted Oxcart” are available at the Jaime Peligro book stores in Playa
Tamarindo, Nuevo Arenal and Quepos.All comments concerning this article are gladly welcomed.
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