Waslala's economy is based on the production of cocoa, basic grains, coffee, vegetables, and livestock. Part of its population is of the Misquita ethnic group.
It has a minority of original inhabitants, because the majority of the current population comes from other regions of the country. Many of the native inhabitants left the Waslala territory when they felt invaded by foreigners or strangers such as workers from international forestry companies that extracted wood, rubber and gum.
This municipality is one of the towns that makes up the beginning of the exploitation of precious metals. In 1989 it was elevated to a municipality and in 2005 it was promoted to a city.
In 1908, the gold-seeking boom began, beginning the artisanal work on the banks of the Siunawas River, so that with the exploitation of precious metals it gave rise to the creation of new territories.
Local Commerce
The people of Waslala develop around its numerous and mighty rivers, its traditional cock-fighting, its hospitality and generosity, with a great culture related to rural life.
This municipality differs from others because 83 percent of its population is from rural areas and only 17 percent lives in urban areas; the culture and traditions are enriched, because it is a town made up of migrant settlers from the Pacific and the Atlantic.
Artistic expressions and manifestations
Music
In Christian music Elías Orozco and Adán Manzanares.
Singer-songwriters
Professor Martha Pérez and Carlos Valle.
Poet
There are several writers among which Pablo Hernández stands out, who wrote a work referring to the historical events of the war of the 80s.
Pictorial tradition
This municipality stands out in the expressions of plastic art, because the master painter, sculptor and muralist, Francisco Pantoja González, made a monumental pictorial set, one of the most important works of the Nicaraguan Cultural Heritage, in the Immaculate Conception Church.
There he painted murals inside and outside the church in 1990, of which only some traces of the works remain, such as the "Via Crucis"; He also founded the first School of Artistic Painting in Waslala which operated for two years; taught more than 150 children, youth and adults, many of whom continue to paint today.
Cocoa producer
Traditional trades
There are carpentry and cabinetmaking, güiriseros, agricultural, shoemaking, sewing, furniture manufacturing, tortilla making, among others.
Legends
The pools of the mares, The fight between the tribes, Appearance of the cadejo, El duende, La mocuana and Cerro de Doña Lidia Baltodano, it is said that elves lived there.
Local characters
The father Enrique Blandon, parish priest of the Catholic Church, is a character loved by the population.
Tiburcio Ramirez: first mayor of Waslala.
Carlos Jose Arguello: originally from Matagalpa, one of the first galleros in the municipality.
Other sites of historical and cultural interest
Cocoa
Archaeological sites Stones and Paintings: found in El Corozal, Kiawas and La Pasolera.
Stone Mouth in Zinica: Historic site where Commander Carlos Fonseca, founder of the FSLN, fell fighting against the Somocista guard. Boca de Piedra, due to its importance, was declared as Cultural Heritage of the Nation by decree law in 1982.
CACAONIC: Founded in 2002, it has 280 active members, spread throughout 40 communities, its main commercial partner is Ritter Sport, a German company that is the largest cocoa exporter in Nicaragua. In this place you can learn about the process of cocoa cultivation.
Association for the promotion of Waslala women: Currently there are more than 700 members and about 100 women who grow cocoa, are in the process of organic certification. They work in 33 communities. In this place you can delight the exquisite artisan chocolate, in different modalities: pure chocolate, coconut chocolate, cocoa paste, pinolillo and coyolito.
Crafts
The manufacture of wooden furniture stands out, a task carried out by cabinetmakers from various workshops. There are about five cabinetry establishments that work permanently, that is why this sector makes up the tertiary sector of the municipality.
They elaborate everything related to real estate of houses, offices, beds, tables, chairs, doors and dining rooms. Also handles of pistols and leather products.
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