A bus load of the World ARC crew headed out Saturday to take a tour of the Embera Village, located in the Chagres National Park. We had a very nice narrated tour from a local guide named Daniel who was very informative on Panama's history, as well as the history of the different Indian groups within the region. My favorite fact was how Panama received its name. Daniel informed us that when Balboa came over to this new land in 1519 as requested by Spain to make a port on the Pacific, they encountered a group of Indians that called themselves "Panama" which was interpreted as: A Goodness of Fish and a Goodness of Butterflies.
There was first a stop of the bus to the supermarket to get some ice to chill the water the tour was providing, then another quick stop at a local fruit market to buy our lunch for the afternoon. It was quite a long drive from the marina to The National Park, which for a general reference was located halfway between Colon and Panama City. The bus pulled up to a river and unloaded, only to find a group of the Indians in their traditional dress awaiting to assist the camera reading clan into their dugout canoes.
(Karson had the boat's i pad and was able to use the GPS in the Navionics program to see where on the river they were driving the canoe). Before heading to the village, the three canoes went up the river to find a waterfall that the group could enjoy. It was a quick 5 minute walk to the falls, but a nice place to stop and take a dip and enjoy the cool and refreshing water.
The next destination was to the village of Tusiponoperu, which is translated to the Wild Turkey Village of Flowers. Unfortunately there were no turkeys but plenty of beautiful hibiscus flowers as donned in the hair of the local women. The village consisted of 68 members, 42 being considered adults and 26 children. We were informed that a villager is considered an adult at the age of 13. Upon arrival there was a small band that played welcome music. Their band or orchestra as Daniel called them is referred to as Rupa in their dialect and consists of a drum made of a tree trunk with deer skin cover, a flute made of bamboo, a turtle shell percussion, and gourd maracas, to name a few. After the brief serenade, we walked up to the common meeting hut and were offered a wonderful snack of fresh fruit as well as fried tilapia and batacones (mashed plantains) presented to us in a folded bird of paradise leaf and hibiscus flower almost resembling the base of a snow cone, but obviously more beautiful and organic. As we were enjoying this lunch time feast we were given information about the village from the chief's second and then from the wife of the chief. Both gave stories of the roles the respective members had in the village as well as a little about what they wore and what crafts they made. After the meal, a trip around the village was granted. It only consisted of a handful, all the village needed to necessitate the small community. Then there was a venture down to the largest of huts, where a dance was held, first by the villagers, then joined by the World ARC crew. Small tables were set up around the hut where to local crafts were on display for sale. We were even coerced into getting arm tattoos with a dye similar to henna (which regrettably is not coming off). Once the trinkets and souvenirs were purchased, it was a quick trip in the canoes back to the bus. Many eyes were shut and heads that bobbed after the warm and fun day to explore a little more of the Land of the Goodness of Fish and Butterflies.
The Wind Dancer Crew
photo2