An Afro-Caribbean Church

Snapshot of a replica of a picturesque wooden Afro-Caribbean church at Mi Pueblito in Panama City. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

The original building of this church is in the neighborhood of Calidonia in Panama City.  It is now a museum depicting the Afro-Caribbean culture.

Afro-Caribbean people played a critical role in the construction of the Panama Canal at turn of the 20th century.  Without their contribution the international waterway would not have been accomplished.  They were strong, hard-working people who challenged the harsh condition of the steaming rainforest of Panama.

They came mainly from  Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Montserrat, Anguilla, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana (which although on the South American mainland is culturally similar to the Caribbean and was historically considered to be part of the British West Indies), and Belize.

Their knowledge of the English language was highly beneficial for the American authorities who wanted a workforce that understood the English language.  They were having communicating problems with people from other nationalities like Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, Spanish, Polish and other European countries.

Afro-Panamanians played a significant role in the creation of the Panama. Some historians have estimated that up to 50 percent of the population of Panama has some African ancestry. The descendants of the Africans who arrived during the colonial era are intermixed in the general population or live in small Afro-Panamanian communities along the Atlantic Coast and in villages within the Darién jungle.

Most of the Panamanian population of West Indian descent owe their presence in the country to the monumental efforts to build the Panama Canal in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Three-quarters of the 50,000 workers who built the canal were Afro-Caribbean migrants from the British West Indies. Thousands of Afro-Caribbean workers were recruited from Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad.

It is estimated that about ten percent of the Panamanian population are Black (West Indian).  Their music, art, traditions, and lifestyle, constitute a significant part of the culture of the Panamanian melting pot.  Good Day.

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Japanese Culture and Philosophy

“Somebody once remarked that thin silk was not satisfactory as a scroll wrapping because it was so easily torn.  Ton’a  replied,  ‘It is only after the silk wrapper has frayed at top and bottom, and the mother-of-pearl has fallen from the roller that a scroll looks beautiful.’  This opinion demonstrated the excellent taste of the man.  People often say that a set of books looks ugly if all volumes are not in the same format, but I was impressed to hear the Abbot Koyu say,  ‘It is typical of the unintelligent man to insist of assembling complete sets of everything.  Imperfect sets are better.’

“In everything…uniformity is undesirable.  Leaving something incomplete makes it interesting, and gives one the feeling that there is room for growth…Even when building the imperial palace, they always leave one place unfinished.  In both Buddhist and Confucian writings of the philosophers of former times, there are also many missing chapters.”

“Are we to look at cherry blossoms only in full bloom, the moon only when it is cloudless?  To long for the moon while looking on the rain, to lower the blinds and be unaware of the passing of the spring — these are even more deeply moving. Branches about to blossom or gardens strewn with faded flowers are worthier of our admiration.

“In all things, it is the beginnings and the ends that are interesting.  Does the love between men and women refer only to the moments when they are in each others arms?  The man who grieves over a love affair broken off before it was fulfilled, who bewails empty vows, who spends long autumn nights alone, who lets his thoughts wander to distant skies, who yearns for the past in a dilapidated house — such a man truly knows what love means.

 The moon that appears close to dawn after we have long waited for it moves us more profoundly than the full moon shining cloudless over a thousand leagues.  And how incomparably lovely is the moon, almost greenish in its light, when seen through the tops of the cedars deep in the mountains, or when it hides for a moment behind clustering clouds during a sudden shower!  The sparkle on hickory or white-oak leaves seemingly wet with moonlight strikes one to the heart.  One suddenly misses the capital, longing for a friend who could share the moment. “

Japanese Essays in Idleness—14th Century

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Blue Window

Snapshot of a countryside house made with dry mud and straw to add strength to the walls. The doors are made with dry bamboo wood. These houses are built by farmers in the Central Provinces through community work known in Spanish as “Junta de Embarre.” Slowly they are disappearing and replaced with cement. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

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The Moña Bread of Panama

Last Saturday, we drove over to Riva Smith Supermarket early morning to buy two moña breads for our Christmas dinner, before the place was flooded with people waiting for the last minute to buy the precious bread.

Even though it was early, about eight o’clock, the place was packed.  We had problems parking our car.  Every single parking space of their parking lot was occupied.  No problem, we left the vehicle about two blocks away and walked.  The walking exercise was good for my high blood pressure.

The price for the large moña bread went up one dollar.  Each moña bread can be had for $14.85, which is pretty steep for our standards, but we had no choice—it was either/or.

Now we’re ready for our Christmas Eve dinner and all our Holiday purchases have been made.  We were able to stay away from the roaring crowd of the malls and the supermarkets during the last days of shopping before Christmas.  It’s impossible to do anything these days.  Long lines, traffic jams, irresponsible driving, too much booze and the list goes on and on.  Every years it’s the same rat race in the city—the frenzy to buy doesn’t seem to go away.  In fact it’s getting worse.

For those of you who are not familiar with the moña bread, let me expand by saying it is the most sought out food in Panama for Christmas.  For us Panamanians a moña bread is to Christmas what a pumpkin is to Halloween in the States.  I can not even imagine a Christmas without a moña bread.

What is a moña bread you might ask?  Well let me explain.  Pan de moña in itself is difficult to define because the range goes from a very lean challah-like bread, to an ultra rich sweet brioche-like bread. The challah-like bread would be your everyday bread. The super rich sweet brioche-like one would be something you serve on special occasions, like Christmas for example.

In Panama, if you visit the supermarkets during the holiday season in December, you will see these special pan de moña everywhere, golden brown and heavily sprinkled with sliced almonds. The common denominators throughout the range are only eggs and a sweet component (either sugar or honey). But really, most times, pan the moña is something in between these two extremes.

Since pictures are better than words, below I’ve inserted several snapshots of two moña breads we recently purchased at Riva Smith Supermarket.  One is for us and the other is for the Twisters.  Here we go.

Snapshot of two packages of moña breads neatly packed in cellophane bags baked by the Riva Smith Supermarket in Panama City, Panama. For us, it’s the best moña bread in the country. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Tonight it’s Christmas Eve–the night when Jesus Christ, the son of God was born.  I take this opportunity to wish all our readers of Lingua Franca, the Merriest of Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.  May all your dreams come true.  Good Day.

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The Tradition of “Nacimientos” in Panama

The official religion of Panama is Roman Catholic.  Panama’s population is approximately 75 to 85 percent Roman Catholic and 15–25 evangelical Christian.  Our religion, together with our language and culture, was a contribution of Spain which conquered a large chunk of South America, Central America and North America at the end of the fifteenth century.

One of the main traditions during the Christmas season in Panama, is to set up a symbolic birthplace of Jesus Christ as a baby in a manger together with his parents.  In Spanish the birthplace is called “nacimiento”, meaning birthplace or nativity scene.  You’ve guessed it, this tradition was handed over to us from Mother Spain.

Since I was a kid, we always had a “nacimiento” in our home for Christmas.  It was meticulously designed, organized and set up by my mother.  It had valleys, mountains, rivers, wells, ducks, donkeys, shepherds, camels, angels, and just about everything you can think of.  In the middle of the nacimiento was the Holy Family–infant Jesus, the Virgin Mary and Joseph, the carpenter.  Over the years, Santa Claus crept in from the North, as well as the evergreen tree.  Since these Christmas traditions were part of the American culture of the neighboring Panama Canal Zone for almost one hundred years, it rubbed into our own way of life.

Nativity scenes exhibit figures representing the infant Jesus, his mother Mary, and Joseph. Other characters from the nativity story such as shepherds, the Magi, and angels may be displayed near the manger in a barn (or cave) intended to accommodate farm animals. A donkey and an ox are typically depicted in the scene, as well as camels belonging to the Magi.

Distinctive nativity scenes and traditions have been created around the world and are displayed during the Christmas season in churches, homes, shopping malls, and other venues, and occasionally on public lands and in public buildings.

After a decline of nacimientos in Panama for many years, the tradition is slowly coming back.  I’m noticing more nacimientos in churches, commercial entities and homes.  Panamanian families are struggling to rescue a tradition that almost went into oblivion replaced by Santa Claus and the Christmas tree.

My wife placed a nacimiento in a small table in our living room yesterday afternoon following our Christian traditions.  We are preparing the scenario for the upcoming celebration of Christmas.  A Christmas wreath was also placed on our front door.  Diligently I took a shot of the birthplace to share our Christmas customs with the readers of Lingua Franca.  It will give you an idea how Christmas is celebrated in this part of the world.

Snapshot of a nativity scene in the living room of our house. It is part of the Christmas tradition in Panama and many countries in Latin America and Spain. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

For us, a Christmas without a “nacimiento” is no Christmas at all. This year we don’t have a Santa Claus or a Christmas tree in our house. We have decided to go back to our roots. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

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Yellow Chinese Paper Lanterns

In an effort to scare away the evil spirits, the Chinese people decorate their houses with red ornaments and dress themselves with red garments.  Red lanterns are also used during the 15th day of their Lunar New Year, known as The Lantern Festival.  During this day Chinese families walk the streets carrying lighted lanterns.

Most of the time the lanterns are red in color, but yellow lanterns are also used during this festival of light.  Candles are also lit outside houses as a way to lead the evil spirits away.

Below are several pictures of yellow paper lanterns encountered while walking El Dorado Shopping Mall on January 23rd. during the recent Chinese Lunar New Year.  I liked the pleasant combination of the bright yellow of the paper lanterns against the deep blue of the tents.

Snapshot of a yellow paper lantern inside a booth at El Dorado Shopping Center during the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

The paper lanterns look like yellow planets orbiting in outer space. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

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Chinese Dragons Showing Up in Panama

Even though Panama is not closely related with dragons, as the Chinese community grows, these mythical creatures are finding their way into open markets in this small country in Central America.

Chinese Dragons are legendary creatures in Chinese mythology and folklore.  In Chinese art, dragons are typically portrayed as long, scaled, serpentine creatures with four legs.

In contrast to European dragons, which are considered evil, Chinese dragons traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, hurricane, and floods. The dragon is also a symbol of power, strength, and good luck. With this, the Emperor of China usually uses the dragon as a symbol of his imperial power.

In Chinese daily language, excellent and outstanding people are compared to the dragon while incapable people with no achievements are compared with other, disesteemed creatures, such as the worm. A number of Chinese proverbs and idioms feature references to the dragon, for example: “Hoping one’s son will become a dragon” ( e.g.,  be as a dragon).

The dragon is one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac which is used to designate years in the Chinese calendar. It is thought that each animal is associated with certain personality traits. Dragon years are usually the most popular to have babies. There are more babies born in dragon years than in any other animal years of the zodiac.

The 12 animals, “twelve birth emblems” or colloquially, “twelve signs of belonging”  are, in his order:   the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.   This year 2012 is the year of the dragon.

A legend explains the sequence in which the animals were assigned. Supposedly, the 12 animals fought over the precedence of the animals in the cycle of years in the calendar, so the Chinese gods held a contest to determine the order. All the animals lined up on the bank of a river and were given the task of getting to the opposite shore. Their order in the calendar would be set by the order in which the animals managed to reach the other side. The cat wondered how he would get across if he was afraid of water. At the same time, the ox wondered how he would cross with his poor eyesight. The calculating rat suggested that he and the cat jump onto the ox’s back and guide him across. The ox was steady and hard-working so that he did not notice a commotion on his back. In the meanwhile, the rat sneaked up behind the unsuspecting cat and shoved him into the water. Just as the ox came ashore, the rat jumped off and finished the race first. The lazy pig came to the far shore in twelfth place. And so the rat got the first year named after him, the ox got the second year, and the pig ended up as the last year in the cycle. The cat finished too late to win any place in the calendar, and vowed to be the enemy of the rat forevermore.

Dragon and lion dances are common during Chinese New Year. It is believed that the loud beats of the drum and the deafening sounds of the cymbals together with the face of the dragon or lion dancing aggressively can evict bad or evil spirits.

Below are several pictures of dragons that I found while strolling through an open market organized by the Chinese community in Panama City, Panama at El Dorado Shopping Mall.  Take a look.

Snapshot of the head of a Chinese dragon all decorated in red. Even the wooden stand is painted red. This dragon head was displayed at an open market organized in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Snapshot of a Chinese red lantern and a dragon; two popular cultural symbols of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Snapshot of an artistic illustration of a Chinese dragon which decorated the open market celebrated during the Chinese Lunar New Year in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Snapshot of a Chinese defiant dragon with powerful claws found at the open market during the festivities of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

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Red

Snapshot of a large Chinese paper lantern with a headless dragon on top taken at an open market in Panama City, Panama during the festivities of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

The red color has a deep meaning in the Chinese culture.  Red is the predominant color used in New Year celebrations. Red is the emblem of joy, and this color also symbolizes virtue, truth and sincerity.

On the Chinese opera stage, a painted red face usually denotes a sacred or loyal personage and sometimes a great emperor. Candies, cakes, decorations and many things associated with the New Year and its ceremonies are colored red. The sound of the Chinese word for “red” ( 紅, hóng) is “hong” in Mandarin (Hakka: Fung; Cantonese: Hoong) which also means “prosperous.” Therefore, red is an auspicious color and has an auspicious sound.

All around the open market celebrating the Chinese lunar new year, the color red was abundant as you can see in this picture.  Fortunately, my Birthday Camera is very good in capturing this vibrating color.  Good Day.

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A Young Photographer

After being involved in photography for more than three years, I’ve kind of developed a taste for street photography and black and white pictures.  Enjoying the pictures of Vivian Maier, the eccentric nanny who turned into a street photographer, certainly induced me towards this special category of photography.  I can say I was captured by her spell.

Under her influence, I walk tirelessly through the streets of Panama City looking for ordinary people doing ordinary things.  These are the best subjects to photograph.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to El Dorado Mall, a few miles from my house, to appreciate a Chinese fair celebrating the traditional Chinese New Year often referred to as the Lunar New Year.  It was a wonderful experience and I took advantage to shoot several pictures of the Chinese culture.  During the next few days, I’ll post pictures of how the Chinese people celebrate their New Year in Panama.

Below is a picture of a little girl taking pictures of a fashion show taking place inside El Dorado Mall.  At such an early age she is already learning the ropes of photography.  I wish her well.  Who knows?  She could someday be seen on the front cover of Time Magazine as the Person of the Year.

Snapshot of a little girl taking pictures of a Chinese fashion show at El Dorado Mall during the Chinese Lunar New Year. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

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Street Signs in Panama

Snapshot of a sign of a restaurant at El Dorado called Woods and Charcoal. Obviously their main dish is barbecued meat. I like the combination of colors. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Sign of a place where they sell pets for the family. The animal on the left of the picture is an iguana. Wikipedia defines this animal as a large herbivorous tropical American arboreal lizard with a spiny crest along the back; used in Central America and South America as human food. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Iguanas are highly sought out in Panama, specially in the countryside for their delicious meat.  People who eat them say they have a taste similar to chicken.  I stay away from eating iguanas.  Besides not being very attractive, I feel they are similar to snakes.  I’m all for a barbecue steak anytime.  Good Day.

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