Panama Culture
Panama, Cultural
Heritage, a Reflection of its Roots
Cultural and Historical Tourism
As a meeting point in the history of the countries of Latin
America, Panama is a country forged by various cultures and
traditions that come together to create a unique complexity and
exotic environment. The country's ethnic diversity is reflected in
the traditional products, such as woodcarvings, ceremonial masks
and pottery, as well as in its architecture, cuisine and
festivals.
To visit Panama is to dazzle the senses, where indigenous and
European cultures combine to create a country without equal.
Panama's architecture is a reflection of the different groups that
make their home there. The Kuna Yala region, home to the Kuna
Indians with their traditional huts, stands in contrast to the
homes built by Swiss, Yugoslavian, Swedish, German and American
immigrants in the styles unique to their respective countries.
Casco Antiguo, World Heritage Site Recognized by UNESCO in 1997.
The ancient city of Panama, currently undergoing restoration, is a
site of great historical and architectural importance, and was
declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO on December 6, 1997.
Visitors to the site can see homes built at the beginning of the
last century, narrow lanes with ancient ruins, beautiful colonial
churches, the National Theater, the Church of San Jose, with its
famous golden altar that was saved from the greed of the pirates
and the ruins of the convent of Santo Domingo and its famous Low
Arch, which is over 300 years old. Panama City also has several
museums, such as the Canal Museum, the History Museum and the
Reina Torres de Arauz Museum, which focuses on the anthropology of
the isthmus -the Art Museum and the Museum of Natural Sciences -
among others.
Panama will Satisfy Even the Most Discriminating Palate. Panama is
an ideal place to enjoy local cuisine, which varies from region to
region. Some of the local dishes include sancocho de gallina
(chicken stew), carimanolas (deep fried meat rolls), new corn
fritters, fried pork rinds and jerked beef, a delicacy for any
discriminating diner. Fish and seafood are prevalent in several
areas, including the famous dish known as "Fu-Fu"--a soup made
from coconut milk, green plantains and fish with a pinch of a
distinctive spicy condiment called "chombo" chile.
Dance, a Symbol of the Diverse Cultures That Come Together in
Panama. The local folklore can be experienced through a multitude
of festivals, dances and traditions that have been handed down
from generation to generation. The beautiful "Pollera" is the
typical dress for the Panamanian women. The "Pollera" is
embroidered on fine weave fabric with intricate, brightly colored
designs that take over a year to complete. The men's finery
consists of embroidered, long sleeved shirts, three-quarter length
pants and the traditional "Montuno" straw hat.
The different festivals reflect the influence of the different
ethnic groups that make up the country. To the north, in Colon
Province, one can observe traditions of African influence, such as
Congo drums dating back to the era of slavery and the Black Christ
feast. In contrast, the May Pole ceremony is found in Bocas del
Toro, which is a European tradition. Throughout the country
year-round festivals take place in each town in honor of the
Patron Saint of each town.
The Panamanian carnival, which is held
before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, is world famous
for its processions, bands and singers - which, together with the
rich folklore of street musicians and beautiful women dressed in
the traditional "polleras" and adorned with gold jewelry - make it
a colorful celebration of the mix of different customs of all the
ethnic groups.
The artisan pottery offers visitors a great variety of designs to
choose from. Styles range from imitations of Pre-Colombian motifs
to folk images and of varied uses--from dishes to planters.
The Panamanian Institute of Tourism (IPAT), is a governmental
entity that promotes Panama's various travel products such as
ecotourism, sport/adventure tourism, archeological tourism,
historical tourism and meetings and conventions on a global scale.
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