Panama

Panama is known for Guna molas, the pollera dress and Congo Afro-colonial traditions.

Textile & dress Crafts Spirituality & rites Music & dance Food & cooking

Knowledge in this place

Guna mola textiles

Guna mola textiles

Reverse-appliqué cloth panels sewn by Guna women, depicting nature and geometric designs.

Textile & dress

Pollera embroidery

Pollera embroidery

The hand-embroidered national dress of Panama, often taking many months to complete.

Congo culture

Congo culture

Afro-colonial expressions of dance, music and ritual from the Colón coast, inscribed by UNESCO.

Spirituality & rites

Mejorana and saloma

Mejorana and saloma

A small five-string guitar (mejorana) accompanying the saloma yodel-like rural singing.

Sancocho

A hearty chicken, yam and culantro soup considered Panama's comforting national dish.