Panama, Where the World meets: Traditions.

     At last "La Autoridad de Turismo de Panama" (Panama's Tourism Authority) launched the advertising of Panama as a country brand, with the slogan:  “Panamá:  Unimos al Mundo”, or in English, “Panama:  Where the World meets”. 
    I'm impressed with the quality of the four videos filmed in HD. That´s why I selected a big screen.  I posted the first one about traditions and folklore.  Enjoy it!

Mola: A Textile Art.

     Molas are the textile art made by the Kuna Indians who live in the northwest of the Isthmus of Panama, known as “Comarca de San Blas”.

     The origin of the mola comes from the painting of the body (tattoos) which was then transferred to fabrics. The Molas represent the cosmogonic thought, a graphical view of a world full of colorful and full of anthropomorphic and zoomorphic meaning of the indigenous culture. The striking and colorful geometric shapes paint mythological scenes, the creation of the world, custom scenes, flora and fauna of the region inhabited by the Kuna Indians.

 

     Molas are the decorative apparel fabrics, square or rectangular shapes, worked inside out with the embroidery technique called applied embroidery (appliqué / reverse), made with colorful cotton fabrics of different colors. Stack consists of 3 to 5 layers of fabrics of different colors, and cut the shape in the form of ornaments, from the first layer to show the color underneath. The cutting then finally is folded. The color of the lower layer creates the outline of the image. Only the last layer is not cut. The best molas consist between 4 and 6 layers, embroidered with tiny stitches, with regular and balanced colors.

     The confection of a MOLA can take 30 hours to double or triple the time, depending on the degree of design complexity and the number of layers of fabric they have.

     Kuna women are who make the molas and each one is unique and unrepeatable. Traditionally it’s part of the Kuna’s feminine attire (chest and back of the blouse of the woman) and an element of cultural identity that characterizes the people. The mola is drawn up by the woman who will use it, so its characteristics depend on the taste of the author, as well as its texture and size.

 

     In addition to making the molas for clothes, Kuna Indians make molas to sell to the people that appreciate the beauty of the design and colors. They are usually sold in rectangular or square cloth to put them in a picture frame to hang on the wall or where you most appreciate them. For example, I have seen molas in furniture cushions, framed molas, decorating offices or homes, in blankets for bedding, and on clothing as well as in women and men.

     I made a video of all the molas I found online and had good resolution in order to appreciate the details and colors in video of this wonderful art of the Kunas.

Las Tablas Carnival 2010: “Culecos”.

     In the Interior towns of the Republic of Panama is where most Panamanians celebrate the carnival tradition, by four consecutive days before Ash Wednesday.
     The carnival is organized by the people, divided into two streets, "Calle Arriba" and "Calle Abajo" (Up Street and Down Street), although in some villages or towns there is a third street. During this carnival festivities, the two streets are rivals and they compete to see who is better in the town's central park, where both "tunas" face other. They compete on who is better: the most beautiful queen, floats, fancy dresses, "murga" and "tuna". Generally, both “tunas” are considered winners by themself in each presentation.
     In this post I want to define three words that are important in Panamanian carnival tradition.
     “Tuna”: group of people and musicians who accompany and support their queen, either Up Street or Down Street, during their performances.
     “Murga”: group of musicians who play the songs of the queen during carnival; usually, they go in a float behind the queen; the song lyrics are to ennoble their queen, or to make fun of the Queen's family and her “tuna”. But they don’t mention names, only assumptions facts. You have to investigate who they talking about. All people who sing are behind their Murga or queen.
     "Culecos" or "Mojaderas" are made on the morning of carnival from 9 in the morning in the town's central park. The "Culecos” are made with tanker trucks parked on the streets around the park and throw water through hoses to all who attend. Each "Tuna" (Calle Arriba and Calle Abajo) presents a single float with the company of their "murga".
     In the "Culecos" or "Mojaderas" each queen goes on a float inspired by a specific theme, like her dress, trimmed with rhinestones, sequins, and feathers of exotic birds. Definitely, the queens are the only ones that are not wet, obviously, because the water would damage the dress and they would lose their grace.
     The videos that I posted are from Las Tablas Carnival 2010. The background music is played by a "murga", but it is only to give it a carnival atmosphere. They are not the songs that were sung and performed in this carnival. In addition, I posted the pictures of the costumes or fancy dresses that were exhibited at the "Reina Torres de Araúz Antropology Museum" in Panama City, weeks after the carnival. In this way, you can see the details of the costumes.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13th, 2010.
Calle Abajo de Las Tablas Theme: Cards Games
Calle Arriba de Las Tablas Theme: Diwali: Lights Festival - Nepal

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14th, 2010
Calle Abajo de Las Tablas Theme:  Valentine
Calle Arriba de Las Tablas Theme: Aphrodite

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15th, 2010
Calle Abajo de Las Tablas Theme: Romany Lineage - Gipsy Lineage
Calle Arriba de Las Tablas Theme:  Marie Antoinette Josèphe Jeanne de Habsbourg-Lorraine: Forerunner of French fashion.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16th, 2010

Calle Abajo de Las Tablas Theme: Cockfights

Calle Arriba de Las Tablas Theme: The Music of My Land

Atlas Ads: a Panamanian Beer.

     Atlas is one of the most recognized and consumed beer in the country, and its logo appears at events such as carnivals, fairs, musical events and on the walls of store retailers around the country, such as advertising and sponsorship.

     My purpose of this post is not to advertise the product and assess its quality and taste. I wish to highlight of their commercial advertisements folklore, culture, landscape and the melting pot of races of our country during the last thirty years. Not only is the beer, is the country, Panama.

     The main objective is to know the landscape of Panama and its people. Remember that the first videos presented were made in the 80s and the last are the most current. Before each set of videos I put the lyric of them in English so you can understand what each group of video wants to transmit. Enjoy them.

Cerveza Atlas: "Así es mi país" (This is my country) ((1985-1986).

This is my country
and so are my people,

first people who love and feel ...

This is my country

and so are my people, people who work and enjoy.

This is my country

and this is my first people, people who enjoy the present.
This is my country

and this is my people, people who love and feel...

Cerveza Atlas: "Así es mi país" (This is my country) ((1986-1987). Other version.

This is my country
And so are the things we like

Because we like them...

And so are my people

People who enjoy the present...

Who know sure what they feel

These things we like always

These things we like always.

Cerveza Atlas: "Así es mi gente" (This is my people) (1989).

These are the people, the people of Panama.
What joy that good, drink the Atlas their beer.

Take life with joy, always drink your Atlas very cold.

These are the people with Atlas to enjoy.

Here and there, and throughout Panama.

These are the people, the people of Panama.

What joy that good, they drink the Atlas their beer.

People are happy, the people are friendly.

As our people like no other.

These are the people with Atlas to enjoy.

Here and there, and throughout Panama.
These are the people, the people of Panama.
What joy that good, they drink the Atlas their beer.
The people of Panama, here and there, drink Atlas.

Cerveza Atlas: "Yo soy el sabor" (I'm the flavor) ((1991-1992-1993) Salsa rithm.

I‘m of this land,

and I have the happy flavor of my people.

My soul is golden, sun caress

And the white foam of my beaches

comes from inside me ...

I'm city and fields

from color neighborhood

I'm first, I'm the flavor

Atlas: I'm first

Atlas: I'm the flavor. Bis.

Cerveza Atlas: "Nuestra gente, nuestra cerveza" (Our People, Our beer) (2009).

We are that happy land

We are really Panamanians.

We’re going foward, we enjoy today.

And It’s one and our, what a great beer,

made with our rithm.

Pure Panamanian, it’s Atlas the flavor.

We first, we have flavor

Atlas, we are first

Atlas, we are the flavor.

Sancocho - Chicken Soup.

     Sancocho is a typical Panamanian chicken soup seasoned with yams, onions, cilantro, oregano, garlic, pepper, and salt. Its origin is in the Azuero Peninsula, to be precise in Los Santos Province. There are other ways depending on the region of the country where it is prepared. In some places other ingredients such as corn, squash, cassava and “otoe” are added . You can also find beef soup (Chiriquí Province) or fish soup (Colon Province).
     The soup is one of the most representative dishes of the Panamanian cuisine, and it is usually accompanied with a bowl of white rice. It's the dish that can not be missed on the restaurant menu in the country, and its low cost and taste is one of mayor demand.
     This revitalizing soup can be taken at lunch, at dinner after a hard day at work, and after a carousal to recover energy. In many country parties the soup is served between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. for those who want to replenish their energies.
     Top “sancochos” are slowly being cooked first to smooth chicken meat, and afterwards so that the yam is tender and so it disolves, making the soup acquire a thick consistency.
     In the Interior, it is prepared in a large pot and stove with wood, giving the soup a smoky special taste. This type of Sancocho can be found in “fondas” (small restaurants) in the Interior during festivals, regional fairs and during Carnival.

     The soup has healing properties, it contains nutrients and vitamins, which can help to reduce cold symptoms. People make the soup when they have flu, an upset stomach or after a long night of alcohol consumption.

     On August 16th, 2003 and to celebrate the Centenary of the Republic, the world's largest Sancocho, called "The Centennial Sancocho” was made.

     To do this we had to compile a special stainless steel pot with its respective lid, as well as designing the stove (burners), how to hold it, the instruments of server and mix , using for the latter wooden oars, all which was a Guinness Record.

     The preparation of the Centennial Sancocho began at 5:30 am and ended at 11:00 a.m. People immediately proceeded to serve the soup in cups. The cost of each cup was $ 0.25, and the funds raised were donated to Hospital del Niño (Children’s Hospital), a public hospital.

     Some important Guinness Record data:

Pot size: 2.00 meters high and 3.00 meters in diameter.
Chicken and yam Quantity: 3.0 tons (3,000.00 kg.).
Onion Quantity: 1500.00 pounds (680.38 kg.).

Garlic Quantity: 80.00 pounds (36.28 kg.).

Cilantro Quantity: 60.00 pounds (27.21 kg.).

Oregano Quantity: 10.00 pounds (4.53 kg.).
Pepper Quantity: 5.00 pounds (2.26 kg.).

Salt Quantity: 80.00 pounds (36.28 kg.).

Water volume: 2033.00 gallons (9,148.50 liters).

Heat of the burners Gas: BTU 4,000.000.00.

Number of cups served: 21,365.00 dishes approximately of 12 ounces each.

Cost per cup: $ 0.25.

Number of Volunteers: over 300.

Panama Hats.

   I was always impressed by the beauty, style and simplicity of Panama hats. Actually, this hat is not made in Panama, therefore, it isn’t part of the country’s folklore. But I wanted to do a post about it and classified in the category of folklore because it’s a clothing’s handmade article. Its glorious fame was accidental since it graced the heads of men who took part in the history of Panama.
     Genuine Panama hats are made in Ecuador, and the most famous are those from a city called Montecristi. The raw material of the Panama hat is known as "Toquilla" but was called by scientists "Carludovica Palmata" in honor of the King of Spain Charles IV and his wife Ludovica. It is a type of palm that grows only along the coasts of Ecuador, between 100 and 400 meters above sea level and where the land remains wet.

     Before a hat weaving, the weaver must decide the fineness of the hat. The thinner the straw, the finer the hat. This is accomplished by separating or cutting with nail, one, two or three times the fiber of the leaf to achieve the desired thickness of the straw. The palm has to be wet so that the fiber is not broken. To measure the quality of the fabric of a hat simply count the number of weaves per square inch. If there are less than 100 weaves per square inch, the hat is considered low quality. Hats with more than 1200 weaves per square inch are considered fine and the hat can cost more than $ 1,000. It is logical, because the thinner the fiber, most weaves have to make the weaver to finish the hat. In the country, in Panamanian souvenirs shops, you can find Panama hats, at prices among $10 to $15. They have the same design, but the fiber of the fabric is thick, so they are not fine.

 

     The toquilla hat was known as Panama hat because the construction of the canal, where it was used for protection against the hot sun. Its popularity increased when U.S. president, Theodore Roosevelt, visited the construction works of the Panama Canal and was photographed wearing a Panama hat. The photograph went around the world in print.

     The Panama hat style was widely used in costume design for Hollywood films such as The Wind, Casablanca, Key Largo, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Man Who Would Be King, and Dick Tracy.

New Year Dolls.

     A Panamanian tradition for the new year, besides a lunch or family dinner, are stuffed dolls of bomblets and other fireworks. These dolls are burned at midnight when we receive the new year and are exposed outside of houses and also in sidewalks next to streets, one or two weeks before the new year. The most common places to see them are along the Interamerican Highway, the Interior of the country.
     New Year dolls come to represent the Panamanian political figures, national and international celebrities who have excelled for his or her actions during the past year. What is fascinating about these dolls is the originality of its creators to make them look like of the person they represent.
     During my tour on the Interamerican Highway, I saw many dolls, who was most resembled was the Panama City’s Mayor, Bosco Ricardo Vallarino.

        

Our National Costume and Fantasy Dresses: Winners on Beauty Peagents.

   National costumes are indicative of the culture and folklore of the origin of the place. In Panama, the national costume of Panamanian women is called “Pollera”.
   Panama has excelled in many international beauty pageants by the laborious work of their artisans, expressed in every “pollera” or fantasy dress culture, folklore and history.

   Thus in 1986, the Panamanian delegate at the Miss Universe Pageant, Gilda Garcia Lopez won Best National Costume Trophy with a “pollera”, embroidered in black thread and flowers design patterns. Then, other Panamanian hopefuls to the universal beauty medal, have chosen to wear the “pollera” on future editions, leaving Panama prideful with each pollera’s flying on the Miss Universe runway. They were: Lia Victoria Borrero, wearing a sewn (“zurcido”)and embroidered pollera in red shades, with orchids and butterflies designs; and Carolina Dementiev, wore a cross stitch embroidered pollera, in red and orange threads.

   Panama has been awarded in beauty events by the fantasy dresses that delegates have worn, similar to those that are made for carnival, in which exotic birds feathers dominate. The artisans are inspired by art, culture and traditions of Panama, as well as flora and fauna. Among the successes that have been obtained making these original designs have been: Miss Universe 2004 Best National Costume, a creation inspired on Indians’ gold art, called “Huacas”, designed by Rogelio Gonzalez; Miss Earth 2008 Best National Costume, costume inspired by the Guaymi Indians’ clothing and pottery designs paintings; in Miss Universe 2009, designer Randol Chin wins best national costume, with a design inspired by Portobelo’s Devils, worn by Diana Broce, Panamanian delegate on that event.

   Finally, Liseth Diaz wins Miss Continente Americano 2009 Best National Costume, wearing a design inspired by the Native Indian princess Anayansi, who helped Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, The South Sea discoverer, now Pacific Ocean. The confection was conducted by Rafael Morán and the gold pieces details were made by Jose Alberto Sosa.