Were the first Jamaican decent Ticos from Limon slaves?

Question

If so, from when to when?

Answer 1

Yes, they were, but Jamaican decent Ticos wern't the first blacks in Costa Rica. Blacks from Africa were taken as slaves to Costa Rica in the 19th century, not sure what year it started (probably the 1500s with Columbus' arrival) but it was up until slavery was abolished in 1822.

Also, during the construction of the railroad many Jamaicans arrived in Costa Rica, they majority of them were contracted laborers and not slaves. Later Jamaican (and other afro-Caribbeans) arrived to work on the plantations.

Answer 2

They were imported to fill the labour gap when the United Fruit Company had its reign here in Costa Rica. This was in the Late 1800's early 1900's. The fruit company was building banana plantations like crazy and it was the first sort of real foreign development the country had seen and of course they exploited the workers just like they do all over the world. It was these afro-immigrants that stood up for the workers rights and staged one of the biggest uprisings in Costa Rican history. This took place in 1934.

Here is a good source of on-line Costa Rican History

http://www.anywherecostarica.com/article...