Panama Culture
Panama is a country located in between North and South America. It is bordered by Costa Rica on the Northwest and by Columbia on the Southeast. No wonder why Panama has long been considered as the “Crossroads of the Americas.”
The culture in Panama is a melting pot made of a diverse blend of various cultures found all over the world. This is primarily due to its inhabitants. While Panama culture is predominantly influenced by Spanish after being once a colony of Spain, there are also people who originate from other cultures. Panama is a country that has a huge Italian, Greek and Jewish community. The country has also long been home to a Chinese community as well as a Hindu and African community which is based in Panama City, the capital of the country.
The largest of the ethnical groups found in the country are the interioranos, a word that means “interior people.” The interioranos are also called “Hispano-Indians” since they are mostly made up of people with European and Native American descents. They regard themselves as the “real Panamanians” as well.
The second most predominant ethnic group in the country is the Native Indians who refer to themselves simply as the naturales, which means “native.” There are currently four Indian ethnic groups recognized in Panama: the Kuna, Guayami or Ngawbe, Embera and Waunan.
Because of the influence of the Spanish culture in Panama, Spanish is the official language used in the country. English is the second most commonly used language in the country. The English language is commonly used in business, banking, tourism and among the African communities living in the country.
Unlike the situation seen in what was known as the former Canal Zone, the Panama government does not tolerate any form of discrimination and racism. While the different cultures in Panama thrive in relative harmony, various nationalistic policies have been forbidden to be used in public schools in the countries. This was seen by the African communities as discriminating to their ethnicity since the primary language they use is English.
Food plays a significant role in Panama culture. The food served during special occasions denotes the socio-economic status of a family. Families that belong to the upper socio-economic bracket of Panama society would often serve seafood during special occasions such as weddings and baptisms. The Interioranos are known to have a traditional meal which is served every Sunday called the Tasajo. This dish is actually a smoked and cured beef that tastes very similar to ham.
Men and women in Panama share an equal standing with each other. In fact, in some festivities that celebrate the spectacular culture in Panama, it is the women, and not the men, who enjoy the highest symbolic status. Among the Kuna Indians, the coming of age of a woman is much celebrated through a three day ceremony called the Inna Suid. The culmination of this celebration is the cutting off of the woman’s hair right down to the scalp.
Perhaps the best way that Panama culture is reflected is in the arts. The artwork of the ethnic tribes is a breath-taking exhibition of the cultural mix found in Panama. It reflects the heritages of the Indian tribes, the mestizos, the Chinese, the Middle Easterners, European and American communities in the area. These artworks are lovingly preserved in the various woodcarvings, pottery and ceremonial masks used by these ethnic tribes.
The different dances performed all over Panama are another beautiful expression of the diverse culture found in the country. In fact, no festival is complete without a display of some of the most famous dances found in Panama. One of the most popular dances in Panama is the tamborito. Primarily a Spanish dance, the Panamanian’s version of the tamborito is one that blends the dance steps of the Spanish with the themes, steps and rhythms of the Native Americans.
Still another is the music heard all over the country. Panama is a country that takes pride in treasuring the old and welcoming the new. Whichever city you visit in Panama, you are sure to find a number of live performances ranging from Salsa, Reggae, Jazz, Blues and even contemporary Rock.
Ethnic Demography
The culture in Panama is a melting pot made of a diverse blend of various cultures found all over the world. This is primarily due to its inhabitants. While Panama culture is predominantly influenced by Spanish after being once a colony of Spain, there are also people who originate from other cultures. Panama is a country that has a huge Italian, Greek and Jewish community. The country has also long been home to a Chinese community as well as a Hindu and African community which is based in Panama City, the capital of the country.
The largest of the ethnical groups found in the country are the interioranos, a word that means “interior people.” The interioranos are also called “Hispano-Indians” since they are mostly made up of people with European and Native American descents. They regard themselves as the “real Panamanians” as well.
The second most predominant ethnic group in the country is the Native Indians who refer to themselves simply as the naturales, which means “native.” There are currently four Indian ethnic groups recognized in Panama: the Kuna, Guayami or Ngawbe, Embera and Waunan.
Language
Because of the influence of the Spanish culture in Panama, Spanish is the official language used in the country. English is the second most commonly used language in the country. The English language is commonly used in business, banking, tourism and among the African communities living in the country.
Ethnic Relations
Unlike the situation seen in what was known as the former Canal Zone, the Panama government does not tolerate any form of discrimination and racism. While the different cultures in Panama thrive in relative harmony, various nationalistic policies have been forbidden to be used in public schools in the countries. This was seen by the African communities as discriminating to their ethnicity since the primary language they use is English.
Panamanian Food
Food plays a significant role in Panama culture. The food served during special occasions denotes the socio-economic status of a family. Families that belong to the upper socio-economic bracket of Panama society would often serve seafood during special occasions such as weddings and baptisms. The Interioranos are known to have a traditional meal which is served every Sunday called the Tasajo. This dish is actually a smoked and cured beef that tastes very similar to ham.
Status of Men and Women
Men and women in Panama share an equal standing with each other. In fact, in some festivities that celebrate the spectacular culture in Panama, it is the women, and not the men, who enjoy the highest symbolic status. Among the Kuna Indians, the coming of age of a woman is much celebrated through a three day ceremony called the Inna Suid. The culmination of this celebration is the cutting off of the woman’s hair right down to the scalp.
Arts in Panama
Perhaps the best way that Panama culture is reflected is in the arts. The artwork of the ethnic tribes is a breath-taking exhibition of the cultural mix found in Panama. It reflects the heritages of the Indian tribes, the mestizos, the Chinese, the Middle Easterners, European and American communities in the area. These artworks are lovingly preserved in the various woodcarvings, pottery and ceremonial masks used by these ethnic tribes.
The different dances performed all over Panama are another beautiful expression of the diverse culture found in the country. In fact, no festival is complete without a display of some of the most famous dances found in Panama. One of the most popular dances in Panama is the tamborito. Primarily a Spanish dance, the Panamanian’s version of the tamborito is one that blends the dance steps of the Spanish with the themes, steps and rhythms of the Native Americans.
Still another is the music heard all over the country. Panama is a country that takes pride in treasuring the old and welcoming the new. Whichever city you visit in Panama, you are sure to find a number of live performances ranging from Salsa, Reggae, Jazz, Blues and even contemporary Rock.
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