Talking With India Mayorga of Betena Cacao

Meet India Mayorga, the main representative of Betena ceremonial cacao from Costa Rica.

Betena cacao is made by BriBri and Cabecar indigenous groups in Ará – their name for the border area of Costa Rica and Panama. Betena is their word for "cheers," and they say it before enjoying a cup of cacao together!

Cacao is intimately woven into their history and Cosmovision, which is related to, but distinct from, other indigenous spiritual beliefs in Latin America. They call cacao t'siru, and the T'sirutmi is the figure who oversees spiritual connection with cacao in each community. 

In this video India talks about:

• How cacao is part of their creation story
• The ways cacao comes into ceremonial practices in their culture
• Ethical ways of sharing cacao in modern settings
• Why she chose to work with Soul Lift Cacao

PLEASE SHARE THIS VIDEO AND TELL PEOPLE ABOUT BETENA CACAO!

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