PATRIMONIO CULTURAL INMATERIAL INDÍGENA: ANÁLISIS DE LAS POTENCIALIDADES TURÍSTICAS DE LOS SIMBOLISMOS DEL CACAO DEL PUEBLO BRIBRI (TALAMANCA, COSTA RICA)

The article explores the potential of the symbolism of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) as a unique element of the intangible cultural heritage that forms part the tourist offer of the indigenous Bribri people of Talamanca (Costa Rica). An analysis of the existing tourism products of the Bribri people – whose social structure is matrilineal – reveals that a strategy for using cocoa cultivation (based around its symbolism) in their tourism offer could help diversify the income of indigenous families. At the same time, without neglecting the risks of patrimonialising the indigenous cultural heritage, it would make known unique signs of identity by recovering and conserving traditions.