Tamales Will be Made in Bulk this Weekend in the Town of Aserri.

This Friday, the annual Feria Del Tamal will begin in Aserri, Costa Rica. Tamals are really seasonal family affairs. Up to three generations will gather to cook pork, vegetables, rice and herbs that are placed and cooked in Masa, that is made freshly ground corn meal, and finally it is wrapped in plantain leaves that are tied up decoratively with twine.

Next the green packages are steamed slowly for a few hours. It is said that Tamales represent the many cultures that have met and made what is Costa Rica today; the rice comes from Asia, the leaves, Africa, the pork and the chicken, Europe, and the corn has been one of the main ingredients in the history of American food. Sometimes other ingredients are added, such as carrots, sweet peppers, vanilla, indeed one is allowed to use some imagination there!

Making tamales is a tradition in Costa Rica, especially in the mountains surrounding San Jose, it has been an important part of the Costa Rican diet since the Colombian times. Tamales are more than just food; they are also an important tradition of Christmas celebrations.

This weekend celebrates the fifth annual tamal fair beginning at 8am on Friday. The day includes various activities with music and the famous Miss Tamal Competition, and of course, lots of tamales to sample.

The following day, on the Saturday, various activities for the children are planned, this includes the famous Concurso Palo Encebado; this game is popular with adults as well as children and has been played since the days when tradition was important in the villages and it was always one of the most important competitions. Everyone wants to take part. A long pole, about 15 meters high, is stuck in the ground, and it is covered with grease, such as oil or butter. Participants have to climb to the top where prizes are hanging. The trick is to wait so that the first participants get most of the grease off! There will be singing, sports activities, there will be fireworks, and of course, still more Tamal!

Sunday, after some children activities early in the morning, there will be the famous oxcarts parade at 10:30am (desfile de Boyeros), one of the most traditional and interesting events of the fair. Beautifully decorated oxcarts from all over the country will parade around to be admired, with their impressively large oxen. In the afternoon the group Flak Ba will play music from the 60s and the 80s, and the day will come to a close with a concert of the group Bambu at 6:30pm.

The following Friday, July 4th, the fiesta continues with an exposition and the sale of Tamales and more Costa Rica food. The group Proyecto Folclorica Aserrisena is on at 7pm, followed with a concert at 8:30pm with Cimarronas (a town band).

Saturday 5th sees another competion of the Palo Encebado, and various concerts including Gregory Cabrera y la 5 avenida, the Academia de Baile Ritmos at 8pm and some fireworks. On the last day, Sunday 6th, the finals of the sporting activities will take place at 9am. Watch for the exhibition of the fire brigade, and a Tope, or horse parade, and races for children at 11am.

The fiesta del Tamal is an important event for the Costa Ricans. It is also perfect for visitors who want to immerse themselves in the culture and folklore of the country, and to eat lots of Tamales, of course!

For more information and the full schedule, check out the website here: http://feriadeltamal.com/aserri/ and enjoy!

Photo courtesy of La Nacion.

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Filed under: Travel on June 27th, 2008