Photograph of Karol, our grandniece, proudly wearing her first pollera montuno. This is a continuation of a long tradition of Panamanian women. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
It’s a long-standing tradition of Panamanian women to wear a pollera at a very early age. They are also taught how to dance typical Panamanian dances that can be traced back to the early Spanish settlers in Panama in the XVth century. These folkloric traditions is what makes the Panamanian identity unique; it’s part of our rich Spanish heritage.
Karol was dressed with a pollera montuno and her face make-up was done by her mother. This is our first photograph of Karol wearing a pollera. She is only four years old. As the tradition continues, many more pictures will be coming down the pike. Good Day.
What a pretty girl!! I love the way Panamanian girls and women pull their hair back and show their oval faces.
Hi Old Timer:
The hair style was done by Karol’s mother. When I saw the photograph, Karol looked much older than a four-years-old girl. Yes, she’s going to be a pretty woman when she grows up.
I have more pictures of her, which I will post on a future date.
Take Care,
Omar.-
Dear Omar,
I found your site while trying to find information on email addresses of professors at la Universidad de Panama —
And came across your wonderful photos of the campus. I am a PhD student in Cultural Geography at Indiana Universit. My dissertation is on tourism in Kuna Yala and will arrive in Panama Saturday for my third visit. I am growing anxious due to the lack of response from Kuna and Panamanian government officials and would like your help, if you have it to offer. (I had more luck in January, by contacting them when I was in town!)
I was curious when I saw your last name, wondering if you were Kuna. But it appears that you are not, from the descriptions you give of the Kuna and the photos of your family.
Can you give me any guidance?
Thank you very much,
Amy Miller Gray
Hi Amy:
I’m afraid I’m not a Kuna Indian, but I think I can help you out. You need to contact Professor Mario Julio De León who is the Dean of the School of Tourism and Cultural History of the University of Panama.
The Faculty is Humanidades. His telephone number is (507) 523-6609. You can contact him tomorrow at 08:00 a.m. (-5 GMT). I tried to obtain his e-mail address, but the person who answered the phone said she wasn’t authorized to give it to me. His secretary was not in and was not expected until tomorrow morning.
When you get to Panama, you can hail a cab and ask for the Universidad de Panamá, Facultad de Humanidades, Escuela de Turismo Histórico Cultural. This is the campus you saw in my pictures. It’s in downtown, Panama City, so it’s very easy to find it.
Good luck with your research work on the Kuna Indians,
Omar.-
Karol:
Luces muy bonita con esa montuna! Te felicito, lo mismo a tus padres , hermano y tíos. Sabemos que todos están muy orgullosos de tí.
Con cariño,
Hilda
Hola Sra. Hilda:
Gracias por sus bonitas palabras. Sabemos que Usted se interesa por nosotros.
Muchos Cariños,
Karol