Many diverse and complex factors combine to create the identity of a nation. One of the icons that best identifies the Panamanian identity is unquestionably, The Pollera. The Pollera is the name of Panama’s national dress which has its origin in Spain. It’s amazing how important this garment is for the Panamanian traditional culture. At an early age, girls are taught to proudly wear this gorgeous dress. Panama without a Pollera would be like an ocean without water.
There are many folk traditions that have been adopted as truly characteristic of Panama’s nationality, but among all of these symbols probably no single expression stands higher than the pollera, the women’s national dress. Its flowing skirt, abundance of handwork, and ornate jewelry, mark the dress as one of the most beautiful garments in the world, admired and cherished by all Panamanians.
Photograph of a mannequin wearing a Panama Pollera at a mall in Panama City. I was stunned with the beauty of her eyes. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
The pollera had an origin. Along with the other traditional Latin American dresses, the pollera descended from the Spanish dress of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
In response to the origin of the pollera, Ms Nieves de Hoyos, director of the Museo del Pueblo Espanol, published an article, “La Pollera Panameña,” in the Revista de Indias of December, 1963. She wrote:
“I sincerely believe the answer is simple; the origin is in Spain, but not from the regional Spanish dress, which contrary to general opinion did not develop its current form until the eighteenth century or later. The pollera in Panama evolved from the Spanish feminine dress of the seventeenth century, not from the court dress with its grand hoops covered with velvets and embroidered silks embellished with laces, gold, and silver threads—the dress which immediately comes to mind to most people because they have frequently seen the pictures of Velázquez.
In the seventeenth century, as in any other time, contemporary with the beautiful court dresses there was the daily house dress, which in this epoch was generally white with a full skirt of two or three ruffles embroidered or appliquéd in floral designs. This description is, simply, the pollera.”
Photograph of small dolls wearing the traditional Panama pollera exhibited at a mall in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
Karol, our three-year-old grandniece, has already worn her first pollera. When her mother dressed her with all the traditional paraphernalia, I couldn’t believe my eyes. During the next few days I plan to post some of Karol’s pictures wearing a pollera. At such a young age, Karol keeps the Panamanian folklore alive. Good Day.
