Saturday, March 29, 2025, Westward Look Inn, Tucson AZ
Sarasvati Special Recognition for Best Visionary Book:CIDICER
for Tona Inna, the mysterious light of the sea in the Caribbean, by Maria Suarez
The
The Sarasvati Awards Committee has chosen to issue a Special Recognition for a Visionary Book to CIDICER for Tona Inna, the mysterious light of the sea in the Caribbean, by Maria Suarez Toro. This book highlights African and Caribbean myths, and a knowledge of the powers of the sea, in order to inspire new generations to understand Costa Rica’s history and the future of its youth.
The letter of recognition was written by Verónica Iglesias, MA, a long-time ASWM member, curandera, and co-author of The Jade Oracle. The English translation of her letter says in part:
From the pen of María Suárez we travel through the Caribbean from ancient times, when the indigenous people were the only ones who reigned and existed in the territory, and then we also learn about part of the history of colonization, and later the arrival of people brought by force from Africa through two ships, mainly whose shipwreck brought these enslaved people to the coasts of Costa Rica.
This book has taken me to the Caribbean, specifically the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, and has made me travel in time learning about those indigenous groups of the area and their connection with African roots and the way in which these human beings, torn from Africa through slavery, arrived at the coasts. It has certainly been a journey of much learning.
As a woman born in Mexico, this work has made me feel part once again of the entire history of the continent, and of these issues that can sometimes still be painful. I speak of the periods of colonization and the loss of indigenous knowledge. these type of works are what allow us to heal these wounds, to remember it, to talk about it and to embrace the result of all these experiences, of why the inhabitants of this wonderful continent are who we are.
It is a wonderful work that I would love to recommend to all those who want to learn more about the history of this continent and specifically of Central America, the role of the indigenous people, the role of black history, the role of the colonizers, the role of the slave traders, all of this is part of who we are, it is part of our DNA in a certain way, so by embracing our history, we also embrace our total and complete existence, knowing that open wounds still exist in this continent.