The exploitation of the snail dye and the indigenous struggle to preserve it in the Pacific of Costa Rica (16th to 19th centuries)

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the extraction process of the "tinte de caracol" (snail dye) in the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries, in order to explain the economic, social and environmental effects this activity generated on the societies involved in its exploitation and commercialization. In addition, it also explores the indigenous peoples' practices for extracting the dye from the snail to determine the degree of exploitation to which the snail was subjected and the social use given to the garments dyed with this material. The paper will also highlight the indigenous tradition of limited and sustainable use, unlike the over—exploitation implemented by the Spaniards (and later by ladinos and criollos) who tried to control the commercialization of the dye in the post—independence era. This research will try to link the biological nature the Plicopurpura columellaris, —its dye— with its economic and social use in colonial and republican Costa Rica.

This paper will analyze the extraction process of the “tinte de caracol” (snail dye) in Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century. It will examine the economic, social and environmental effects this activity had on the societies that extracted and marketed the dye. It will also look into the indigenous peoples’ practices for extracting the dye from the snail and the degree to which they used the existing supply of snails as well as the social value they gave to the garments dyed with it. The paper will also highlight the indigenous tradition of limited and sustainable use, in stark contrast with the over-exploitation that the Spaniards, as well as the ladinos and criollos who tried to control the traffic of the dye right after independence, practiced. This investigation will try to link the biological nature the P. pansa snail –its dye-with its economic and social use in colonial and republican Costa Rica.