Since 2023, it has been possible to observe one of the rarest Diquís spheres in Costa Rica. Located at the National Museum in San José, “Naí” is one of the only pre-Columbian spheres to feature a visible engraving. And behind the figure of the tapir carved into the stone lies a true legacy of Costa Rica’s Indigenous culture.

A mystery revealed: The discovery of Naí

Originally, this pre-Columbian sphere was located on the property of a family in the south of the country. Thanks to various awareness campaigns by the National Museum, the original owners of “Naí” decided to donate the sphere to the museum. It then remained in the collections until June 2023. Wendy Segura, press officer for the National Museum, tells us: “One day, a colleague stopped to look at it and noticed that there was something on the sphere. She then called the director, who is an archaeological researcher specialized in pre-Columbian spheres. They managed to see what was engraved there, so the sphere was placed in the garden so that everyone could see it.”

Exhibited in the museum’s garden since June 23, 2023, the “Naí” sphere is part of the celebration of the nine-year anniversary of the pre-Columbian sites’ inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

A tapir carved in stone

Engraved on a stone sphere measuring 1.2 meters in diameter, the image of the tapir is more or less visible depending on the sun’s position and is even more apparent when it rains. If you pay close enough attention, it’s possible to distinguish the different features of the animal: its large snout, almond-shaped eye, curved back, short tail, and several five-toed legs.

To this day, the Naí sphere is unique in the world in that it is the only perfectly spherical stone with a zoomorphic figure engraved in high relief. It is therefore a centerpiece of the National Museum not to be missed.

The cultural significance of the tapir in Indigenous tradition

In the Bribri and Cabécar languages, spoken by Indigenous communities in Costa Rica, Naí means “tapir” (danta in Spanish). But why carve a tapir into stone? In fact, this engraving is not without meaning: in Bribri tradition, the “danta” is the sister of the god Sibö, who is considered the creator of the world. Also called Namaitamí, she is therefore a deity symbolizing wisdom and fertility, linked to the Earth itself.

According to ancient stories, Namaitamí is the mother of Irìria, also known as the living Earth. She is thus intrinsically connected to the birth of the world, the growth of plants, the flowing of water… Naí is an embodiment of the balance between the forces of nature. The sphere is therefore the memory of a sacred relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Earth, as well as an intergenerational transmission of knowledge and values.

The tapir: spirit of the forest

Beyond its mythological importance, the tapir is also greatly valued by Indigenous communities for its ecological role in the tropical forests of Central America. Also known as the “gardener of the forest,” the tapir maintains biodiversity and the ecological balance of its habitat. Among other things, it disperses seeds over long distances, creates clearings by breaking through dense vegetation, and naturally fertilizes the soil with its droppings.

Indeed, the tapir is a living metaphor for the connection between nature and Indigenous spirituality. Its gradual disappearance from today’s forests echoes the loss of this ancestral knowledge: the Naí sphere is a perfect representation of the importance of conservation—of both nature and culture. It reminds us that to protect heritage is also to protect life.

Naí today: a voice from the past for the present

Since its public unveiling in 2023, Naí has become a symbol of a new chapter in the dialogue between ancestral heritage and our contemporary society. By choosing to display it in the garden of the National Museum, scientists have chosen to give it a voice: that of the peoples who shaped it and the beliefs it symbolizes.

In this way, the Naí sphere is more than an archaeological discovery: it stands as a bridge between past and present, between Indigenous spirituality and modern conservation challenges. It raises awareness about the richness of Indigenous cultures and their deep connection to nature. Through it, we rediscover a worldview in which nature is sacred, animated, and protective.

Naí also invites us to reflect: how many other stones are waiting to be given a voice? How many stories are still waiting to be told?

Conclusion

Naí, this perfect sphere with a subtle relief, invites us to look more closely at the world around us, to see beyond the surface. Rediscovered thanks to a ray of sunlight and the curious gaze of a conservator, it illustrates the power of small revelations. It reminds us that culture, when shared, becomes alive. Today, it still watches over the gardens of the National Museum, revealing its story to those who choose to see it.