Revolution

The Guna Yala is an indigenous comarca (reservation) on the north eastern coast of Panama. The Guna people have a fascinating history, including one of the only successful revolutions by indigenous people from invading colonizers. They are a fiercely proud people, though small in stature. Their societal organization is impressive and their location unmatched on scattered islands in the crystal blue water of the Caribbean. They keep their comarca fairly restricted to outsiders, the only Panamanian institutions are schools and hospitals. 

In February, a group of volunteers and I hiked and joined the celebration that marked the revolution of the Guna people. The trip started with a two-day hike though the dense jungle and across the mountain range that protects the Caribbean Ocean. 

It was a dirty, bloody battle of a hike but when we arrived at the Caribbean at dusk of the second day a glorious feeling swept over all of us.

We took a boat to the island capital and slept. The celebration included a dramatization of the revolution itself, a parade, and a chicha-drinking-dance party.  Everyone wore red. The Guna people use the swastika as their symbol (not just a Nazi emblem). 








My very brave friend Sarah (right) joined us from the US for a cannonball jump into not only Guna culture, but Peace Corps life as well. 

The tradition of drinking fermented coffee and cacao chicha commenced in one large hut. Men danced and yelled in rows of six before being handed bowls of chicha to drink. The women, in more free form style, danced and smoked cigarettes and took shots of chicha. It was impolite to refuse or share a beverage that was offered to you, so of course we were obliged to partake... 

This was one of my favorite and most memorable experiences here in Panama. For all of my photos from the trip, click here.