38 Hectares of Valuable Resources for the Maleku

Our last progress report recounted the great success we’ve seen in tree development in just two years time at Marvin’s 14 hectares which were planted in December of 2011. This report is about the BIG picture up at Marvin’s and how it affects the Maleku indigenous tribe.

In 1976 the Costa Rican government decreed 3000 hectares as the tribe’s legal territory, what the government felt was owed them after the Maleku were slaughtered in the mid 1800’s and lost all 60,000 hectares that were their original territory. At present the Maleku are only in possession of approximately 600 hectares. Since the decree the lands that are illegally owned by non-indigenous landowners have never been expropriated and given back to the Maleku tribe.

When La Reserva Forest Foundation originally met with the Maleku tribesmen our first priority was to find a way to return those 3000 hectares back to them and reforest 2000 hectares of it. Marvin Castro, owner of the “38 Hectares of Valuable Resources”, is a non-indigenous landowner willing to sell the property and that’s how this project took shape. The idea is that in “buying” back just a few of the properties in non-indigenous hands via private donations the government would be shamed into action.

One of LRFF’s most important founding principles is positive action which prohibits us from making a stink, demonstrating, creating lawsuits, etc. Our only recourse is through other people’s generosity and true intentions to help this group of people who are in danger of extinction.

Marvin’s property is the source of all the potable water flowing from the mountain springs on his property to the three Maleku “palenques” (villages) below. Currently the water coop has its tanks there and they’re planning to build a larger tank that will take advantage of more gravity flow to the villages

The Maleku tribal council, who would administer the any new lands added to the Maleku territory have lost much of their hope in the last two years. I know that if we could find a sponsor or buyer, even on a recurring donation scheme, Marvin would give over possession of the property and we could then return the first 38 Hectares of Valuable Resources to the Maleku and give them strength to move onward and upward with their projects. They can do it, their spirit can be found in this little prayer written by my late friend and project participant, Isidro Acosta. First in Maleku then translated into English for you…

A Maleku Prayer

Nini cani carinabaqui casasaja tocuba, mi jani juaquini frurucu falla taqui.

Nini cani paca nuerra nuerra, mi jani juaquini fruru falla taqui.

Nini cani ucurrique patuco lasuf y jani jerronca tuni, mi jani juaquini fruruquini falla taqui.

Nini cani macaloc puro tocuba, mi jani juaquini fruru falla taqui.

Nini charagtoco ton chaja y artenhepue, mi jani juaquini fruru falla taqui.

Nini pilihiora, mi jani juaquini fruru fall taqui.

To the old god, you give me strength all of my days.

To the great god, you give me strength all of my days.

To the god of the Rio Frio with the tail of a shark, you give me strength all of my days.

To the tree with the warm glowing brass color, you give me strength all of my days.

To the toucan singing in the Tamarind tree, you give me strength all of my days.

To the hummingbird, you give me strength all of my days.

Thank you so much everyone for your continued support and generosity…

YOU GIVE ME STRENGTH ALL OF MY DAYS. 

Links:

• Two Down and a Few More to Go