Inspired by the ancestral knowledge of the Bribri community located in Costa Rica, José Soto creates a sonorous world through the combination of the string quartet, jazz ensemble, and improvisation. It portrays his perspective on some of the concepts of the ancestral knowledge and social values of this community, which, in addition to surviving colonization, have remained resistant for centuries, being an example of social and environmental balance. This album has the support and guidance of the Bribri cultural ambassador, Ali Garcia and the artistry of the extraordinary Francisco Mela, George Garzone, and Milena Casado, among others. As a result of  the extinction of the Bribri culture and language, José seeks to contribute to this community and support the conservation of their culture and language through this project. All proceeds from the album sales of "The Ancestral Call" will be donated to support the work of the Bribri cultural ambassador and scholar Alí García Segura and the Bribri Si̱wa̱' Ujtékölpa Cultural Center (Defenders of Knowledge - Defensores del Saber) of the community of Sös in Talamanca (Limón, Costa Rica).

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  • Ritual speech is for the Bribri the language with which Sibö (the most important spiritual being and cultural hero of the Bribri society)and his aides communicated with each other. This is why the awá (Bribri spiritual guide and healer) used this way of speaking when they healed.

    Although, for us this ritual language is heard as sung words, for the Bribri spiritual beings this song is simply their way of speaking and conversing.

    The Bribris believe that plants are a means of communication with ancestral spiritual beings. When an awá diagnoses a disease, they consult with the ancestors who live in nature through the ritual language of Sibö.

    Thus, the spiritual being that lives within this plant helps it fulfill it's function of healing, which is why it exists in the first place.

  • Descripción del eleIf you are interested in deepening your knowledge about the Bribri culture, I cordially invite you to explore the invaluable contributions of Alí García Segura, a distinguished Bribri ambassador and scholar at the University of Costa Rica (UCR). You can access further information regarding his work by following the provided link.mento

    www.lenguabribri.com