CULTURE OF PANAMA: TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS, GASTRONOMY, RELIGION - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The culture of Panama combines different elements from the colonization era that merged within its territory. The influence of Spain and Africa have been one of the main molds for the customs and traditions that are celebrated in the country today. However, many habits are also the product of Native American heritage.

It is a country of contrasts between the cosmopolitan urban area and the rural areas that still preserve part of the culture of past centuries. Panama is popular for its great annual festivities that are celebrated in a big way exposing the entire repertoire of the country's traditions, from music and dance to the typical costumes of the area.

Panama City.

Image by julian zapata from Pixabay

Another of the most influential countries for the Panamanian territory today is the United States. Since the 19th century, Panama has been closely linked to the North American country, especially on a political and commercial level. This link was born largely due to the interest in making a connecting route that is currently known as the Panama Canal.

The Panamanian territory is an isthmus of great commercial importance since it is the territory that communicates the northern region of America with the southern part of the continent. Furthermore, it is also the link between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic.

Folklore, gastronomy and music, meanwhile, have points in common with other neighboring countries in Latin America. Many of the recipes and musical styles that are enjoyed in Panama are linked to the Caribbean area.

Traditions

Panamanian carnival

It is about five days of celebrations prior to Ash Wednesday, in which multiple festive activities are carried out in the streets of Panama and that take place between the months of February and March. Music, masks, parades and dance are part of the festive elements.

During this event, the election of the carnival queen and her court is usually held, from the first day. Later the caravans begin. Many display colorful costumes. Musical events are also organized and it is customary to drench the crowd in water when they meet in the streets. The celebration can last until sunrise on Ash Wednesday, which implies the end of the celebration and the beginning of the Lenten period.

The Pollera Festival

It is a celebration that takes place every year every July 22, in the city of Las Tablas and is held in commemoration of one of the most important typical female costumes in the country, the pollera. The event takes place within the framework of the celebration of the Virgin Librada.

The festival takes place between parades and music. About 15,000 women gather each year to participate in this activity wearing their characteristic skirts. There is also a contest to choose the best outfit. During this time, Panama receives approximately 300,000 interested in this cultural celebration.

La pollera, typical Panamanian costume

Image by TULIA COLOMBIA TORRES HURTADO from Pixabay

The typical costume consists of a two-piece dress made up of the upper part, called the pollerón, and the skirt. In addition, the "tembleque" is integrated as a headdress and finally includes satin shoes.

Devils and congos festival

It is an event that is held in honor of the Afro-American culture that has remained in the Panama region through time. This specific legacy is known as “Congo culture” and has been integrated as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2018.

As for the celebration, it takes place in the province of Colón where folkloric dances are performed and different passages or scenes are represented in which the struggle of black Africans, specifically the maroons, for their freedom is recreated. The Spanish colonizers are usually simulated by the masked devils.

The episodes of good versus evil are accompanied by dances and music based on African elements such as percussion.

Mejorana Festival

It is a traditional festival whose beginnings date back to 1949. It commemorates a typical Panamanian instrument, the marjoram, which is similar to a guitar and has five strings. The celebration takes place every year in the town of Guararé, during the month of September.

During the event there are activities such as the election of a queen, a typical parade, which exhibits and honors the customs and ways of life of country men; folkloric competitions such as marjoram, violin and more.

The origin of this tradition is attributed to Dr. Manuel F Zárate, who during his study stay in Europe observed some festivities that revolved around a musical instrument. In this way and after his return to Panama, he raised the idea of ​​creating a festival that would enhance the life of the country's fields.

Corpus Christi Festival

It is a festival that takes place 60 days after Easter Sunday and its main centers of celebration are usually La Villa de Los Santos and the city of Parita. This event aims to exalt the Eucharist, the body and blood of Christ in the consecrated bread and wine.

Among the activities, masses and processions are held, apart from dances among which the traditional dance of the devils stands out, where several masked and disguised men make up two groups of devils, one of them classified as "clean" and the other as "dirty. ”, Representing good and evil.

These characters dance among people to the rhythm of music. Later, the end of the celebration is marked by a procession in which the great devil is defeated by the “clean”. Corpus Christi is a festivity of religious origin introduced into the culture of the country from the arrival of the Spanish colonizers.

Flower and Coffee Fair

It is a fair held in the Boquete district during the month of January. During the event, the wide number of varieties of flowers that are grown in the country are exhibited and commercialized. Jewelry, crafts, sweets, typical dishes and more are also exhibited. This holiday lasts for 10 days.

It has its origin as an intermittent coffee fair that was held since 1950. From the time of the 70s it became the Flower and Coffee Fair, held during the month of April. It was from the 90's when it was decided to change the dates to January in order to take advantage of the dry season.

Custom

Hygiene and appearance

Panamanian society emphasizes personal appearance, trying to give an image of neatness and hygiene. This is how they prevent the clothes they wear every day from being too informal. Among other things, it is illegal for people to walk without a shirt in cities or towns.

There is no rigor for punctuality every day

Like many Latin American societies, Panama is not a country characterized by the rigor of punctuality among its inhabitants. There is a tendency to prolong the encounters or some casual events such as meetings with friends or meetings to eat.

Love for rice

Panamanians are known for their preference for rice. During the first half of 2018 it was recognized as the second country in Central America to import this cereal. This is usually one of the favorite accompaniments in the daily meals of the citizens of this country.

Go to sea for new year

It is customary for Panamanians to go to the sea after celebrating the New Year as a way of letting go of the old. This is due to the belief that salt and the sea allow people to renew in some way for the new year that begins. For this reason, many people go to the beaches on these dates.

The burial of the sardine

Among the customs practiced by Panamanians towards the end of the carnivals, there is the "burial of the sardine". It is a carnival parade in which a sardine is symbolically burned during the early hours of Ash Wednesday. It is a way of burying or leaving the past behind.

Gastronomy

The gastronomy of Panama has a diversity of dishes that are part of everyday life in other Latin American countries, although with details typical of its territory. One of the ingredients preferred by Panamanians is rice, which is part of the main consumer products in the country.

carimañolas

It is a fried food prepared with cassava dough as the main ingredient. They are shaped like a torpedo and can be filled with various ingredients such as meat, chicken or cheese. They are also typical of countries like Brazil and Colombia.

sancocho

It is a fairly traditional soup within Panama, although it is part of the typical meals of some Caribbean countries. The main ingredient is chicken meat. Cilantro, oregano, onion, garlic, salt and vegetables are also added. It also includes root vegetables such as yams. Rice is added daily as a side.

Old clothes

It is a typical dish of the Central American and Latin American region, widely prepared in Panama. The main ingredient is shredded or shredded meat, specifically the cut of meat called skirt. The dish consists of stewed meat with tomato, garlic, onion and paprika.

When served it is accompanied by portions of rice. Patacones are also sometimes added.

Rice with beans

It is an everyday dish that is eaten frequently in Panamanian life. It is a simple recipe for white, black or red beans, served with white rice.

Rice pudding

One of the favorite and most popular desserts among Panamanians is rice pudding. It is another popular recipe from Latin America and Central America. It consists of a creamy rice prepared with evaporated milk, condensed milk and whole milk. It is customary to add cinnamon and raisins.

Music

The music of Panama has multiple influences that come from the African culture and from Spain, which began to enter its territory during the 16th century. From here come various genres and styles that are among the most popular and traditional in the country.

Within the traditional music of Panama, the following can be highlighted:

-The folk music, which contains genres such as cumbia, marjoram and tenth. Many of the instruments used within these are the drum, the box, the charuca, the accordion and the triangle.

-The little drum: very popular in carnivals, its main bases are drums and the singer's voice, supported by choirs. It is a fundamental part of national dance and folklore.

-Tuna: it is a joyous dance that is accompanied by drums and choirs. It is also popular within carnivals.

-The Point: it is considered one of the most sophisticated styles. Its origin comes from Europe and the musical compositions of this style are created based on the dance, which occurs only in pairs. It contains typical steps such as the zapateao, paseo, escobillao and seguedilla.

Among other musical preferences within Panamanian life is salsa and reggae in Spanish, both widely popular genres.

Religion

Panama is a country that approves freedom of worship and religion according to its constitution. Likewise, Christianity and specifically Catholicism are recognized as the predominant religion without necessarily being considered official. Approximately 98% of the country's population belongs to the Christian community.

Within the group of Christians who live in Panama you can find various types of religion such as evangelicals and orthodox. They also coexist with other religious faiths made up of Muslims, Hindus or Jews.

Freedom of worship is applied in the various spheres of daily life, so despite the fact that schools may teach subjects related to Catholicism, students are not strictly obliged to participate in these if their family group is not a practitioner. of this faith. Likewise, the use of particular clothing that some religions require of their practitioners is also respected.

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