Fiestas Patrias

One of the greatest aspects of Panamanian culture--which is simultaneously its biggest downfall--is the ability to celebrate for any reason, and to make a big deal out of anything and everything. Panamanian Independence from Colombia (November 3rd) is a momentous occasion for the country, yes, but the celebration doesn't last one day. They also celebrate minor holidays like Flag Day and Veterans' Day and National Anthem Day, and sort of group them all together, since they fall so close to one another. The country prepares by having the kids learn marching in a band consisting of various drums and xylophones in the shape of harps called liras. This takes time out of the school day for months before, and then on the special days, class is either preempted for band practice and decoration or cancelled. It was fun for me when I was able to separate from my mind how much class time we lost to idle preparation (three teachers preparing, the dozens of kids in the band practicing, and the rest of the school doing absolutely nothing).

Elementary school boys in their uniforms (like train conductors, right?) ready to march in the town for November 3rd.

To begin the celebration, they have a typical acto cívico, but with a more patriotic flare, including a history lesson, and of course, the singing of the Panamanian national anthem.

4th grade girls sing tamborito style, voice accompanied by one drum, about their "clásica polleras."

Leading the march through town is the flag, of course.

Queen Liz (from the School Anniversary back in May) dressed in a lovely pollera.

Little girls (again with the makeup thing...) dancing to the beat of the drums behind them in the procession. Perhaps I shouldn't use the term "to the beat" so flippantly. They occasionally walked in rhythm to the music.

The little guy is in Kindergarten. He was smacking that drum. He kept dropping his sticks. It was so cute.

The order was flag, banners, special people like the Queen, dancing girls, the drums and liras, students, then teachers.

My cute little next-door neighbor in another kind of pollera, less expensive, part of the ropa típica series.

A little boy who won an award for having the highest GPA in elementary school dressed in ropa típica. Looking good. And look at that serious face.

The next day, they had another march, but that time, more schools from the area showed up to participate. Then after the march, these ranchos opened up and sold fruits and vegetables for their respective communities.

One thing I really don't like about these marches: they go on FOREVER, and by the end, the kids are exhausted. Look at them, drenched, red as those jackets.

November 9th was the Grito de Santiago, a similar parade celebrating pride for the province of Veraguas. This one lasted LITERALLY all day. It started at 10am and had groups marching until 1am. It was fun to spend that day with Peace Corps volunteers, because restaurants stayed open late, and since we weren't Panamanian (meaning we weren't ENTRANCED by people walking down the street for 15 hours), we had no qualms with leaving and coming back later. The parade did get progressively more interesting. The day was time dedicated to schools in the province. The later groups were visitors from other provinces, groups that had a fuller band, a better sound, likable music, and even some good dancing!