Guaitil: pasado, presente y futuro de la cerámica Chorotega

Abstract

Guaitil ́s pottery (province of Guanacaste, north-east of Costa Rica) represents a living example or shelter of chorotegan pottery that refuses to disappear. Chorotegan pottery reached its peak during pre-Columbian times. It started a process of decadence after Spanish arrival until it almost disappeared. However, in Guaitil, the cultural legacy of this art has been kept alive, being transmitted from generation to generation until today. However foreign influence and tourism pressure have caused changes which are detrimental to its quality and cultural value turning it to a mere souvenir of the region.