It is the highest town in Nicaragua, a situation that was used by the former pre-Columbian residents of the territory. These ancestors were from the Chorotega group, this is verified in their names and their remains of material life. It is known that they had their own ceramic production, but they also imported vessels from their northern neighbors: Lencas and Maya as well as from the southern side of the Chorotegas and Nicaraguans.
House of the indigenous or native people of Cusmapa
The integration into the colony of the Spanish empire of this municipality was carried out in the XNUMXth century, when its towns were recorded with a tax for the crown, among which the delivery of tar, obtained from pine trees for use in boats, stood out.
The territory of the El Carrizal community remained in the shadows for a long time until in 1953, thanks to works and direct efforts by Father Fabretto, the settlement was promoted and the development of San José de Cusmapa began. Later, in recent times, with the paving of the penetration road to the municipal seat, the local economy has been boosted.
The current inhabitants are mostly descendants of indigenous populations (approximately 80%), they are creative, innovative and eager to learn.
Traditions and artistic expressions
The celebration of the last cry of indigenous resistance. This celebration commemorates the indigenous resistance to Spanish rule and is held on October 11 in the urban area of San José de Cusmapa and where local products such as beans, coffee and corn are sold, in addition there are artistic presentations in which the “ Baile de la palma ”, an ancestral dance that was originally performed when a baby who had not received baptism died. This dance is carried out by those who would be the child's godparents, dancing to a “jumping” rhythm and holding palms in their hands.
Music
The traditional instruments of the town are the guitar, the violin and the accordion.
The best known musicians are the brothers Valentín and Martín Ramírez, from the Los Llanitos community. The Vargas brothers from the El Ángel N ° 3 community and Los Escalantes from the urban area. All of them liven up local events.
The dominant musical heritage in the municipality originates from the middle of the XNUMXth century, when Europeans, attracted by the concessions granted by the government to promote coffee production, brought Mazurka music that was performed by great masters such as Frederick Chopin. This rhythm became “Nicaraguanized” in the northern region.
Painters
Among the local artists is Darwin Ruiz Méndez, who paints and draws in acrylic with themes of landscapes typical of his environment.
Professor Audiel Maldonado, painted the mural located in front of the church with landscapes of Cusmapa.
Crafts
Making pine leaf crafts
The most important artisan products of the municipality:
The Basketry: It is carried out mainly in rural areas, in three communities with about 20 artisans who make handicrafts from tule and palm. The main products are mats, hats, baskets, ornaments and decorative accessories made of vegetable fiber.
Rafael María Fabretto Cooperative: In the urban area of Cusmapa there is a cooperative of women who take advantage of the fibers of the pine needles (leaves), combined and supported with colored threads, to make delicate hair accessories, key rings, jewelry, earrings, fine baskets, comaleros and other objects and souvenirs of a decorative nature. The material is collected in the pine forests of the same municipality and the articles have the peculiarity that they permanently preserve the smell of pine.
Here you can interact with the artisans, learning about the elaboration of these beautiful pieces. The workshop is located in the urban area of San José de Cusmapa.
La pottery Traditional is practiced in the community of La Fuente, by Doña Martina Velásquez, who made pots and comales. Likewise, in the community of El Ángel N ° 1, Mrs. María Corsilia Méndez is dedicated to this profession.
Crafts with recycled glass: It is the creative work of a cooperative of young women who formed the “Un Montón de Añicos Association of Young Artisans”. They are dedicated to the elaboration of handicrafts made from recycled glass, with which they elaborate varied articles of jewelery according to the creativity of each one of the artisans.
Agro industrial products: Young entrepreneurs established the Catalonia Cooperative in this municipality, which is dedicated to the production of yoghurts, jellies, bread, wine and fabrics based on raw materials obtained in San José de Cusmapa.
Traditional trades or practices
Midwives-healer: In the community of El Ángel N ° 1, Doña Domitila Ruiz, combines both trades to give service to her fellow men. Midwives are women who counsel and assist pregnant women. Eloísa Galo, from the El Ángel N ° 3 community, is dedicated to providing this service and in the El Apante community, it is done by Doña Juana Guzmán.
Carpentry, masonry and bakery are traditional crafts of San José de Cusmapa.
Sites of historical and cultural interest
House of the Indigenous People: It houses the office and municipal headquarters of the indigenous people, where the administrative and traditional organizational structure manages and meets, in order to maintain its roots and promote community development actions. The senior advisor and the president of the board of directors offer their services to the community.
In the office of the indigenous people, ancestral pieces such as pots, stones to grind corn and comales are exhibited. You can also see handicrafts made of tule plants such as baskets, mats, baskets and hats. It is located in the urban area of San José de Cusmapa, of the Municipal Mayor's Office 1c. to West.
Sunday Fairs of San José de Cusmapa: In these, the inhabitants of the communities of San José de Cusmapa come to the urban area to sell their products such as beans, coffee and some chiltoma vegetables, as well as fruits and vegetables. All this is sold at reasonable prices and without intermediaries, directly from the small producers and which in turn supports the economy of peasant families. Here you can share with the inhabitants of the municipality and learn about its economic activities.
La Reseda Lagoon: It is of artificial origin and measures approximately 4,500 meters. It is an artificial water source, on whose banks in colonial times, a furnace was built to make resin to build and repair boats, a product that was sent to El Realejo. Here you can make tours of paths surrounded by pine, representative of San José de Cusmapa, and grass that allows activities such as picnics where you can enjoy the fresh air, high-altitude pine trees and the view of the lagoon.
It is located in the urban area of San José de Cusmapa, 600 meters from the Municipal Mayor's Office. to the south, left hand. The best way to get there is on foot. The road is paved to a certain extent, then it is a dirt road that is in fair condition. There is signage at the entrance to the lagoon.
Cave of the Virgin: Here you can make tours of the forest, since the place is located in the middle of a pine forest and cliffs on the banks of a ravine. Taking a tour inside the cave is mandatory because you can see the statue of a virgin, placed by Father Fabretto, which was the object of pilgrimage in the past.
It is located four kilometers from the town center and to schedule a visit it is necessary to contact the Father Rafael María Fabretto Foundation, you can get there on foot, on horseback or by vehicle.
Legends
Legend The Hand of the Devil and the Legend of Deimire.
Relevant character for local culture
Father Rafael María Fabretto Michelli: Salesian priest, Italian, who came to the community in 1953, established shelters (oratories) for abandoned children from different parts of Nicaragua. He provided them with food, sleep, clothing, and vocational training. Many of them continue to function as a care center for minors with social problems. An estimated 15,000 children passed through Father Fabretto's hands in 35 years.
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