Young soul: stories of older women's empowerment through folklore

Abstract

Alma Joven is a folkloric dance group made up of eight women, all over 70 years old, who belong to the Red de Cuido of San Isidro de Heredia; the artistic dance group represents the Programa de Atención Integral de la Persona Adulta Mayor del Centro de Estudios Generales de la Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica y a la Casa Hogar para Ancianos Albernia. These eight women are in charge of transmitting traditions, talent and optimism to other people, using typical dances and their good attitude to live as their only tools. Behind each of them is a situation that at some point overshadowed their happiness, but in folk dance they have found a way to express themselves, geeting free from their ties and strengthening themselves.

The dance reflects that they have learned to value their own efforts, surpassing themselves, visualizing and internalizing as strong women, possessing a firm capacity to decide and act in their daily lives. Interviews were used to find out if folklore throughout these five years has influenced their capacity for empowerment, it has benefited them in aspects such as their self-esteem, autonomy and resilience in their old age.