Panama's Top Cultural Pursuits

It has always been interesting to get accustomed to a place's culture. Probably it's human nature that as a certain place captures one's heart, that heart will be more eager and hungry to delve deeper into that place's know-hows. The arts, musics, dances, and the people's way of life living in a particular area still remain as a topic of interest for most people now. It's just like an appetizer that introduces and prepares you to a more substantial meaning of existence.

Did you know that the largest city in Panama, Panama City, was declared as the 'American Capital of Culture' in 2003? In fact, visiting here without exploring its cultural perspectives would be a vacation wasted. There are merely a hundred ways to spend your cultural quest make the best out of your Panama City tours, and here's how:

1. Drop by at the Museum of Contemporary Art. This is said to be the only contemporary art museum in Panama that displays  not just the country's best works of art but also those of Latin America as well. Let the masterpieces like ink drawings, oil paintings, and ceramic works speak the Latin American voice straightly to your soul. This art edifice at situated at the bottom of the popular Ancon Hill and features the genious works of the commended artists from Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica, and all other Latin American nations. Don't hesitate in coming, for venturing a museum is never boring and worthless for those who have the heart for art.

2. Come and celebrate the Panama Carnival. Of all the Panamanian events and parties, the Panama Carnival is considered to be the superior of them all. Hordes of tourists and locals gather together every start of spring to partake in one of the world's biggest festivals. What does this festival has to offer? Well, a fusion of national dances, music, traditional costumes, and an overflow of local cuisines will warmly welcome you at the start of the spring season. Come and have fun while learning at Via España, the main avenue at the country and experience yourself the best of all Panamanian festivals.

3. Spend the night at Panama City Folkloric Nightshow and Dinner. If you are seeking for an awesome production incorporating the colorful culture and tradition of Panama, then come and get entertained at Panama City Folkloric Nightshow and Dinner. Witness the brilliance of Panamanian skills, wisdom, and elegance as performers teach you the way to their culture and life through a variety of music and dances. While having satisfaction with your eyes, why not have satisfaction for your appetites as well? Here you can also taste the best of Panamanian dinner offered in your own comfort.

About Gamboa Panama

The little town of Gamboa in Panama is a forty-minute drive away from Panama City, but unlike the latter, Gamboa feels just so remote due to the fact that it is closer to nature. This town is constructed by the Panama Canal Company in the early 1930s to provide shelter for the workers of the Panama Canal Dredging Division.

The Past

In the history Gamboa was built nearly in the former village of Sta. Cruz, were three miles the Chagres River was the town of Las Cruces. In 1855 after the completion of the Panama Railroad which ran near the Panama area, yet made no stops and no PR maps list any towns in its present location.

During canal construction Gamboa’s present day was built in 1911. The town was populated by “silver roll” workers and their dependents. Almost 700 initial settlers were previously lived in the construction areas between Gorgona and former towns of Tabernilla. Together with the towns first citizen, no Americans were counted.

Along 1914, Gamboa’s population decreased to 173 which consist of a police station, a four-family house, a two-family house and some old railroad box cars used by the house silver roll employees. 

After long years of studies and debates, Panama Canal Company moved its Dredging Division from the town of Paraiso to Gamboa in 1936. In 1933, due to the moving of Dredging Division to Gamboa, the population was 251, including just 10 Americans.

The Present

In present time Gamboa is still inhabited, but with a shadow of its old self. It remains the original headquarters of the Dredging Division of the Panama Canal Authority (formerly PCC).

The Dredging Division’s harbour is now used by light ferries to reach the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) facilities at Barro Colorado Island.

Caymans, iguanas, crocodiles and several hundred bird species are Gamboa’s residents. Gamboa is bordering to relevant tracts of undisturbed rainforest. The Pipeline Road is considered one of the best birding hikes in Panama.it is also one of the premiere bird watching sites in all of Central America.      

Image credit: www.elitemeetings.com

Bits and Facts about the Culture of Panama

Learning about something soon develops to love. As for you who want to learn something or maybe everything about the country of Panama, for sure you’ll never be disappointed. Panama has a lot of bits and stuffs to catch your interest.

Panama is a nation of rich heritage. This richness of culture and history is brought by the mixture of people, literally. In the country you can find traces of Indians, Cuna and Guavmi blended together to form the present Panama. Not just that, aside from the mentioned groups throughout history, the Spanish settlement in Panama also created a great influence. It has been said that the presence of visitors throughout time brought Panama to where it is right now. 

The People

Imagine a small strip of an island inhabited by different people of various cultural origins. With a population of not more than four million, almost 70% of it are mestizos and mulatos. There are blacks, whites, Amerindian and indigenous people bound together living in harmony. A tribe in Panama, the Cuna is very known for its close ties and matriarchal societies or those headed basically by women members of the family. Their official language is Spanish, so bring with you a lot of Spanish conversations as you plan to go.

As you go to different places in Panama inhabited by varying indigenous groups, you can feel the warmth and friendliness of the people. These groups each possess a unique quality within them, and also, held individual celebrations representing their rich cultural history. The Panamanians are also known to be skillful craftsmen. They are able to produce jewels and other crafts also of rich ancestral origin. Though they tend to be different in origin and customs, Panamanians are bound together by the value of peaceful and harmonious living.

Panamanian Religion and Cuisines

Roman Catholicism is the most dominant religion in the country of Panama. In fact, most of the traditions and celebrations are held in honor to saints. For example, a big celebration in Panama is the Black Christ Festival. Another example of how saints affect the life of every Panamanian is that they consider them to be the owner of every town. 

The cuisines all over Panama are affected by cultural variations and the location of the country. But mostly, the foods are American and Spanish in style. Famous dishes are Carimanola, Tamales, Empanadas, and Tortillas among others. Panamanians also include a lot of sea food in their dishes since the country is in a coastal region. 

Image credit: http://ourlifeinthed.com/