Teribe in Costa Rica

The Teribe have only been reported in Costa Rica
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Teribe people say their ancestors were part of the pre-Colombian Chiriquí civilization 10,000 years ago. Initially the Spaniards didn’t like what they saw in Costa Rica so they bypassed it for years. Eventually that changed. As a war-like people, the Teribe fought hard against the Spaniards but were eventually overwhelmed. The Spanish brought them smallpox which greatly reduced their population.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Teribe people are matrilineal, meaning that the family line is traced from the mother’s side. She also has much decision making power. Ironically, they are among the few Native American groups with a king.

There is tension between the Teribe and the Costa Rican government regarding the Diquís Hydroelectric Project. Another point of conflict is about educational opportunities.


What Are Their Beliefs?

There is a lot of historical bad blood between them and the Catholic Church. Catholic clergy deliberately introduced smallpox to their community. They reacted by burning Catholic churches. The Teribe are more likely to be Protestant than Roman Catholic.

The Seventh Day Adventist church is very important to them. The Teribe believe in Sibö as the god of creation. They give spiritual significance to the Térraba River.


What Are Their Needs?

Like most people groups around the world, the Teribe need to put all their faith in Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray for their Seventh Day Adventist churches to put Christ first. May he be central to their faith.

Pray for Teribe disciples who will make more disciples.

Pray for the Lord to bless them economically and spiritually.


Scripture Prayers for the Teribe in Costa Rica.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naso_people#:~:text=The%20T%C3%A9rraba%2C%20or%20Teribe%2C%20are,for%20more%20than%20500%20years.

http://terraba.org/en/about.html


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Teribe
People Name in Country Teribe
Alternate Names
Population this Country 1,300
Population all Countries 1,300
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 3
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 15444
ROP3 Code 109968
ROP25 Code 308082
ROP25 Name Teribe
Country Costa Rica
Region America, Latin
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Puntarenas province: near Boruca Reservation.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Costa Rica
Region America, Latin
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Puntarenas province: near Boruca Reservation..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 2.00 %)
84.00 %
Ethnic Religions
10.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
6.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Teribe (1,300 speakers)
Language Code tfr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Teribe (1,300 speakers)
Language Code tfr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Teribe
Photo Source Rita Willaert - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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