Snapshot of an enticing typical Panamanian home distinctive of small towns in the countryside. Many of these houses are rapidly disappearing as more modern houses are replacing them in the name of progress. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
This is an example of many typical houses displayed at Mi Pueblito in Panama City, Panama. These red tile roof houses were built by our campesinos of Panama’s countryside. It was a tradition to build these houses during a social community activity called “Junta de Embarre”.
The men would collectively mix mud and grass to build the houses while drinking a fermented corn beverage called chicha fuerte, seco or chirrico. The women of the community would prepare lunch and dinner for the hungry mix of men taking part in the event. The whole town participated, and in less than one day, a new home was erected.
After the mud dried up, the houses were painted and decorated. This is an example of the Panama of yesteryear which is evaporating rapidly as the new generation of Panamanians build more modern homes in the name of progress. Good Day
