By Alaina Smith
One of the best things to do in Panama is to visit the Indigenous people specifically the Emberá Tribes. Many people wouldn't visit the Panama Natives. Most tourists focus their trips around the Panama Canal and The capital of Panama, Panama City. The Emberá, however, have an interesting way of life that they are willing to share with visitors. It is a long journey to visit these Indigenous people but once you visit them, you will see a new view of Panama, one that you would not notice in a big city.
The Emberá people live in the Darien region, a place so remote that you must walk or canoe there. They share much of their land with the Waounan Tribes. Many of their traditions and beliefs are also shared with the Waounans. Although the Emberá relied on hunting and gathering in the past, they now depend on tourism because the surrounding land is protected.
The Emberá perform detailed dances in which they mimic animal motions. They keep the beat by following a drummer or flutist. These are usually the only instruments the Emberá use. Dances are usually performed to welcome guests to the village or at ceremonies. These dances usually only feature women however some performances have men and women dancing together.
The Emberá are famous crafters and are believed to be the first basket weavers in Latin America. The most skilled basket weavers can weave a basket so tight that they can hold water. these baskets can take months to finish and sell for large amounts of money usually to tourists. Many of the Emberá are also tattoo artists. The Emberá have large tattoos drawn on their backs and arms. Tourists who visit can have temporary tattoos painted on their arms and purchase some of the Emberá's beautiful weaving.
Much like their basket weaving, the Emberá 's roofs are woven into a thick thatch to protect them from the wind, rain, and sun. The Emberá historically lived in huts built on stilts up to ten feet tall. Their houses were built so tall to protect them from dangerous animals, keep out rats and bugs, and stay safe during the floods of the rainy season. Because animals like jaguars are no longer a threat to the Emberá their huts are now built on much shorter stilts that still protect their house from being invaded by bugs and rodents along with avoiding the worst of the flooding. Because of the hot rainy climate, their huts often only have two walls leaving most of their house exposed to the outdoors.
Visit the Emberá people to see their unique ways of life. They will welcome you as a visitor and greet you with an amazing dance. Visit their ceremonial huts and experience their ways of life. This indigenous group native to Panama has many cultural beliefs that everyone should experience.
org - Organization. “Indigenous Embera People, Culture and Lifestyle.” Embera Indigenous People, Culture and Lifestyle, 1997, www.nativeplanet.org/indigenous/embera/.
Central Intelligence Agency. “The World Factbook: Panama.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, 1 Feb. 2018, www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/geos/pm.html.
Freitag, Debra. Personal Interveiw. ???? January 2020.
Barrigón, Anne Gordon de. “The Emberá Tribe.” Anne Gordon, .Com, 2004, www.emberavillagetours.com/the-ember--tribe.html.