QUICK TAKES

Understanding Panama and Panamanians,
Cultural and Historic Routes

By Juan Carlos Martinez

Panama is a relatively young country in many ways.  Geologically it is young as what is now the piece of land called the Republic of Panama only came into existence about three million years ago.  Before then the two masses of the American continent were separated and the species living on each evolved separately.  When the tectonic plates started moving and the isthmus of Panama finally came into existence a link between the two continental masses was created.  The species used the bridge to migrate from one continent to the other which explains Panama´s  immense biodiversity

Panama is often called the waist of the Americas because it is the narrowest expanse of land throughout the continent.  Herein lies its strategic value as bridge between two oceans and two continents.  The Isthmus of Panama divides the world´s two largest oceans.  Since the Spanish conquest, Panama, by virtue of being the narrowest point between the two oceans, became a bridge for commerce as well.  The Spanish used the Chagres river to complete the journey of their goods and gold to and from Spain.  Peruvian gold was shipped to Panama, transported across the isthmus and then shipped to Spain.  Then in mid 19th century the Gold Rush made Panama an important transit point for getting from the East Coast to the West Coast of the US through the Interoceanic Railway.  Finally at the start of the 20th century the Americans concluded the construction of the Panama Canal.  Since its discovery Panama has been a shortcut from one ocean to the other through its isthmus.  As a territory it is used to receiving large influxes of people who are just transiting through its territory.  

The large influx of people has a lot to do with the Panamanian culture and the Panamanian race.  Panama has three basic races: the Indians who were here when the Spanish colonized, the Spanish (Caucasians) and the blacks who came as slaves with the Spanish.  In most of Central America these races are still distinct however in Panama for some reason they mixed thoroughly and the result is that Panamanians today are a melting pot of people with very diverse physical characteristics.  This melting pot was enriched even more with the influx of Chinese, Indians, Greeks, Italians, Jews and Arabs that came during the Railroad Construction, the Canal Construction and during both World Wars when Panama became again a transit point for war ships.

This influx of people coming through Panama and to Panama has had a great effect on what you would call the national character.  If you are familiar with Central Americans Panamanians do not resemble Central Americans neither physically nor in their character.  Panamanians are often described as fun loving.  The whole country just loves a party specially if it includes dancing.  Sports are a national passions: baseball, boxing, soccer; Panama has internationally renowned athletes in all these sports.  Luck is a central theme in Panama on Wednesdays and Sundays at noon you will find most of the country tuned in to the TV or radio listening to the lottery, who knows, anyone can get lucky and  hit the jackpot.  Lottery in Panama is a national enterprise run by the government.  Gambling is also very popular just tally the number of casinos in the city, all full on Friday nights or on "quincena" (payday), horse racing, among other games involving Lady Luck. 

There is a lot to be said about Panamanians as their history is unique as is their cultural make-up however it is best as a traveler and tourist to get to know them and then form your own opinion.  For more information on the history of Panama and how it pertains to the way Panamanians look and act today, the works of Stanley Heckadon Moreno, sociologist and anthropologist, as well as those of Raul Leis, sociologist, are very entertaining and useful in understanding the country you are visiting and may decide to live in.