Thread: How long have people been in Panama?

Who were the first people to inhabit Panama? How long has it had people in it? What happened to those natives?

Many and various groups of native Indians, and they are still there. Go to check'em out on the islands to the east of Colon, and the groups that live near Bocas. Many also live in the highlands around Boquete and come down to harvest coffee and other crops. Pick up any guidebook to Panama and you'll see several chapters on the native tribes, it's really fascinating stuff.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by Lalaguayaba

Many and various groups of native Indians, and they are still there. Go to check'em out on the islands to the east of Colon, and the groups that live near Bocas. Many also live in the highlands around Boquete and come down to harvest coffee and other crops. Pick up any guidebook to Panama and you'll see several chapters on the native tribes, it's really fascinating stuff.

Cheers.

Do any of the tribes still live like the natives used to? Or, are they all modernized?

Do they use computers and technology?

A lot of them live like they used to; using dugout canoes (some w/outboards,) and subsistence farming on the islands. Many dress in seriously colorful hand-made clothing and produce the 'molas' that are so popular as exported handicrafts. I'm sure that there are modern aspects to their lives now, but as they choose to live in more out-of-the way places and are not using up prime real estate, there hasn't been any concentrated effort to relocate them or modernize them like Native (North) Americans. I suggest you just look up Panama in the Wikipedia or another source that you like for further information.

Cheers.

Thanks for all the information everyone!

I hope that one day I will be able to visit these tribes.

From Wikipedia: A pic in 1917 of "the Cuna-Cuna, or Tule Indians of the San Blas coast of Panama. They are of the purest aboriginal strain. For hundreds of years they have resisted amalgamation, and woe to the Cuna-Cuna belle who looks with favor upon a "foreign" lover. They are an intelligent race and are not savages by any means—even though nose rings are a part of the adornment of all members of the gentler sex, who wear them from the time they begin to walk."




A pic of how they look today:

They look very happy in the picture. I think it is great that they are able to keep their original culture so much. It's a shame that so many cultures were annihilated during globalization.

They might look happy in the picture because they charge for their photographic services. How would you feel if a billionaire knocked on your door and wanted to take pictures of you in your native habitat? Practicing your religion? Celebrating a holiday? That is assuming of course that you are not a billionaire--but would you appreciate the patronizing tone? Or would you charge cold, hard cash? Thank G-d for tourists!
Just a thought.

Cheers.

I suppose I would be happy if I got paid to do nothing but pose for a picture at most.

Tourism is good like that. It brings in a lot of business and economy.

Originally Posted by tallman33

Who were the first people to inhabit Panama? How long has it had people in it? What happened to those natives?

I'll take the last part of your question: They succumed to their own mortality...

I saw they did piercing at their nose. Is that one of their culture to do that. Hope can have many interesting info about this.

In 2007 I visited an Indian village in the Northern part of Panama. I think the name of the tribe was Ngobere. Very interesting people, still preserving their culture to a great deal. Very friendly as well. Never been to San Blas though. I've heard a lot about the region and I'd like to visit the area.

Originally Posted by Laura

From Wikipedia: A pic in 1917 of "the Cuna-Cuna, or Tule Indians of the San Blas coast of Panama. They are of the purest aboriginal strain. For hundreds of years they have resisted amalgamation, and woe to the Cuna-Cuna belle who looks with favor upon a "foreign" lover. They are an intelligent race and are not savages by any means—even though nose rings are a part of the adornment of all members of the gentler sex, who wear them from the time they begin to walk."




A pic of how they look today:

Thanks for this info! History of Panama is very interesting to learn . . .

Originally Posted by tallman33

What happened to those natives?

They are still here.. Most of the Panamanians have at least partial indigenous ancestry and the native element is higher than that in some other Latin American nations like Costa Rica.