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Historically
In historic times, the Guaymi were animists. While many of the details have been forgotten, many stories from their oral histories and rituals reflect this tradition. Numerous gods and spirits, some good and some evil were worshipped by the Guaymi. The various deities of the historic Guaymi include a protector god, a god of lightning, and great warriors could be elevated to god-status. Those who continue to practice the traditional religion are called Sukias. They are sought out to predict the future and interpret dreams. They also are known for their knowledge of herbal medicine and for communicating with spirits to heal illness. In colonial times the Spanish attempted to control the Guaymi by sending Catholic missionaries to civilize the people. In the early 1900’s Methodist and Seventh-Day Adventist missionaries made some inroads into Guaymi culture in less remote areas. |
Learn More About the Guaymi/Ngäbe
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Mama Tata
In the early 1960’s, a new religion known as Mama Tata took root among the Guaymi. A mix of traditional religion and Catholicism, Mama Tata is the result of a vision of the Virgin Mary experienced by a young Guaymi woman. This woman became the leader of the new religion and included the traditional Sukias as priests. Some tenets of Mama Tata included the prohibition of alcohol, prayer gatherings, and divine punishment for those that failed to follow the rules of the religion. Another major tenet of Mama Chi is an isolationist world view. Followers were expected to shun outside contact. By the 1970’s, the influence of Mama Tata over the Guaymi people began to wane and today it is estimated that less than half of the population continues to practice it openly.
Today
Today, the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Baha'i are a major influence on the Guaymi reservations. Catholicism is practiced by some Guaymi and evangelicals are making some progress. From our experience on the reservations of Costa Rica most Guaymi claim to believe in a god but have no affiliation to any one group and few have heard of Jesus Christ.
The New Testament of the Bible has been translated into Guaymi but due to the oral nature of their society, most members of the society are unable to read their own language. Story method oral presentation of the Gospel is one of the best methods for reaching these people.
To see and hear the book of John from the New Testament in Guaymi click here.
In the early 1960’s, a new religion known as Mama Tata took root among the Guaymi. A mix of traditional religion and Catholicism, Mama Tata is the result of a vision of the Virgin Mary experienced by a young Guaymi woman. This woman became the leader of the new religion and included the traditional Sukias as priests. Some tenets of Mama Tata included the prohibition of alcohol, prayer gatherings, and divine punishment for those that failed to follow the rules of the religion. Another major tenet of Mama Chi is an isolationist world view. Followers were expected to shun outside contact. By the 1970’s, the influence of Mama Tata over the Guaymi people began to wane and today it is estimated that less than half of the population continues to practice it openly.
Today
Today, the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Baha'i are a major influence on the Guaymi reservations. Catholicism is practiced by some Guaymi and evangelicals are making some progress. From our experience on the reservations of Costa Rica most Guaymi claim to believe in a god but have no affiliation to any one group and few have heard of Jesus Christ.
The New Testament of the Bible has been translated into Guaymi but due to the oral nature of their society, most members of the society are unable to read their own language. Story method oral presentation of the Gospel is one of the best methods for reaching these people.
To see and hear the book of John from the New Testament in Guaymi click here.
