Central Provinces: Birth Place of Panamanian Folklore
Panamanian folklore has a great richness and varies from region to region. Panamanian folklore has Hispanic, African and indigenous elements. The typical wardrobe, the food, the music and the dances are a representation of Panamanian folklore. There are many foreigners that visit different places to see the roots of this country and to buy Panamanian souvenirs. In Panama there are fairs during the entire year as well as artistic shows with the distinctive dances of each province.
Religious Celebrations, part of Panamanian Folklore
Panamanian folklore is distinguished in the central provinces of Panama (Cocle, Herrera and Los Santos), since for centuries it transmitted catholic religious ideas, expressed through the different parties, patron saints day, and religious celebrations for example the processions during Holy Week, as well as the acts regarding the passion and death of Jesus Christ.
All these religious festivities form part of Panamanian Folklore. Tourist can go to any of the churches in the provinces. For example: Nata a district in the province of Cocle has the oldest church of the American Continent. Meanwhile in Villa de Los Santos they celebrate Corpus Cristi with all its splendor where pagan dances participate, “mojigangas”, “parrampanes”, among others. Currently this celebration is considered worthy of admiration.
Panamanian Folklore in craftworks