Panama City Parades Marked Its 106th Anniversary of Its Independence from Colombia

The people of Panama celebrated Independence Day yesterday, November 3rd, with prayers in the cathedrals followed by massive parades through the streets of Panama City. There were folk dances in the procession such as the El Tamborito performed by adults and children alike, dressed in traditional costumes including the Pollero and the Montuno.

In full parade uniforms, high school and post-secondary students turned out in their thousands as the schools' musical bands practice all year to showcase their achievements on this special day. Private groups and organizations joined in the parade with spectacular costumes. As the processions moved through the streets, families picnicked along the sidewalks and there were parties on many street corners quite like carnival time.

Ricardo Martinelli, President of the Republic of Panama, and his family were involved in events all day including the religious functions, viewing of and participating in the parades.

This is a week of holidays as today, November 4th, is Flag Day, and tomorrow - November 5th - is celebrated as Colon Day, the day the news of Independence reached the Province of Colon on the Atlantic coast, which hosts the Colon Free Zone. In addition, on November 10th the uprising against Spain, referred to as the "Uprising in Villa Los Santos," is remembered and the second Independence Day - freedom from Spain - is celebrated on November 28th, making this the patriotic month.

The historical background to Panama's independence from Spain and Colombia is intriguing. A brief reflection tells of the Spanish exploring and settling in Panama in the sixteenth century. For more than 300 years Panama remained part of the Spanish empire (1513-1821). On November 10, 1821, the citizens of the southern province of Panama, Los Santos, declared Independence from Spain. By November 28, Panama City followed declaring all of Panama independent from Spain. Joining Simon Bolivar of The Republic of Colombia (Then a union of Venezuela, Ecuador and Colombia) one week after its independence from Spain, Panama started a relationship with Colombia that experienced many changes but continued until November 3, 1903, when Panama finally became a fully independent nation.

Visiting Panama at any time of the year is an experience not to be missed, but visiting in November allows visitors to participate in Panama's rich heritage as displayed during these celebrations. During the parade the famous Pollero, worn by women of all ages, is admired for its rich jeweled hand embroidery that takes one year to create and reflects the pride of generations of women. A favorite to watch also is the traditional dress of the males - an embroidered long sleeved shirt, three quartered pants and the traditional Montuno straw hat. Another memorable sight is the dance of Diablicos Sucios - the devil dancers from Los Santos and Chitre as they depict the battle between good and evil.