Ogres and tarocafarrafes within the malecu narrative: identity and moral incentive

Sumario: The aim of this paper is to elucidate how the figures of the ogres (muérra maráma) and the tarocafárrafaes (tarocafárrafá maráma; mythological beings considered as another human species already extinct) within the malecu narratives, particularly the Pláticas sobre ogros (Narratives on ogres) (Muérrajá mausírrajáca), are means to shape the identity of the costarican indigenous group. At the same time, how these figures work as moral incentive. Regarding to the identity configuration, it’s exposed in each figure those elements that the malecu considered external and desirable to the image of themselves. As to the moral incentive, it’s explained how the elements in each figure lead to stimulate certain moral practices, as well as to reject other conducts; commenting the respective consequences that the moral acting implies, within the context of death, which is of great importance to the malecu.  Key words: malecu (people), ogres (muérra maráma), tarocafárrafaes (tarocafárrafá maráma), identity, moral incentive, death