Natives of Panama

Today, Panama has 7 indigenous groups who survived the conquest. There were 3 major groups: Guaymíes and Kunas belonging to the Chibcha tribes and those influenced from Nicaragua to Colombia and Ecuador extended , the Chocoes you belong to the Caribbean group which originated in Guyana and Brazil moving towards the Colombian region Chocoe and divided by the Embera and Wounaan . Also smaller groups like the Bri Bri, Bugle or Bokota , Teribe Tiribie or are descendants of the Chibcha .

1 . Ngäbe - BUGLÉ
Occupy the territory of the mountainous regions of the provinces of Chiriqui and Veraguas, also the territory of the province of Bocas del Toro.
In 1997 was created Ngäbe - Bugle , covering much of the territory where the group lived .
Occupying Territory
language Used
Who are
Prior to this tribal group known as " Guaymí " . The Ngabe - Bugle are divided into two groups by language:
The Ngabe : largest subgroup , occupies the territory of the province of Bocas del Toro and in four districts of the province of Chiriqui : Tole , Remedios , San Félix and San Lorenzo .

The Buglés : Is less populated subgroup and reside mostly in the province of Veraguas and the neighboring region of Veraguas and Bocas del Toro.
Every member of this social group has the right to use the land in accordance with their traditional patterns.
It is difficult to describe the physical characteristics of their populations, because their homes are far apart from each other , for them the concepts of distance are totally different from those who manage the overall level of Panamanian culture . Each house is surrounded by thick vegetation . The inhabitants of the area of the provinces of Veraguas and Chiriqui have small houses, all lined by way of round huts, in the area of ​​Bocas del Toro homes are more spacious cemented on stilts , called dairy farms with higher walls , also lined by way rectangular ranch.
shelter, food, protection from inclement weather , disease, adverse conditions , and the need to communicate, interact with others , seek to express themselves emotionally and purpose to life , to nature and to humans.
The Ngobe - Bugle indigenous group that is totally at odds with the perception of evaluative concepts of Latin society , from what to us may be lack of decency or moral , to the concepts of time in the actions of man ( human) within nature . That is why for a common latino acting of these groups may seem rather vague people, unmotivated and not looking for a productive life meaning .
As societies in the world, in the heat of liquor fights between competitors arise , nevertheless , this is not the most important competition for " Ngäbe ", is the coexistence of brothers who share joy time together .
From the artisan who make the " Ngobe -Bugle " its origin and symbolism is unknown , the fact is that globally , the chácaras , beads and petticoats ( robes with designs in bright fabrics ) are known for the great having artistic value .

2 . LOS KUNAS Dules O ( TULES )
Its population lies within the region of Kuna Yala and Mandungandí in Bayano , near the border with Colombia there are some villages and Reserve Ugandí in Darien. Today Kunas live in the Archipelago of San Blas in the Panamanian Caribbean , in the province of Darien in the upper river Chucunaque and Bayano . The current population is 53,000 people.
Occupy That Territory
Kuna or Dule Gaya.
language Used
Their society is based on well-defined rules ancestral entire organization . For example their family structure is extremely complex . Unlike other groups , women have a prominent role , family life is consolidated around it.

The family consists of mother, father, daughters, children (unmarried ) , married daughters with their husbands and their sons , and all inhabit the same house and share equally the responsibility to provide for the welfare of the family.
Matriarchy prevails in this society , the birth of a child is a source of great joy, for her family to preserve continuity. Unlike Western society that gives importance to men and preserving social figure root to which it belongs , the Kuna or Dule consider that root remains in the womb.
The Kunas who lived in Darien until the eighteenth century began to move off the Caribbean coast of San Blas when the Spaniards began their journey across the isthmus.
Today Kunas live in the Archipelago of San Blas in the Panamanian Caribbean , in the province of Darien in the upper river Chucunaque and Bayano . The current population is 53,000 people.
The Kunas are unique in their culture and political structure , have always fought for their rights. In 1925 the Tule Revolution began when the central government wanted to absorb within the national government , and it was not until 1938 that the Kunas were incorporated after the government guaranteed their rights to autonomy and local reserves .
Shire is the land where indigenous in which there is an internal management policy and social laws under the jurisdiction of the government. Each community has its head Sahila , leaders and legislators ..
The Nele is the healer or herbal doctor .
The Kuna have a matriarchal society where the man works for the prosperity of the family of the woman . The Kuna man is engaged in agriculture burning methods also practice diving for lobsters and Centollos to be sold to Rail and local companies.

She sews the famous " Molas " are an application incredibly beautiful and internationally recognized work .
Also the " Molas " are part of the daily dress attire accompanied by a long skirt with bright colors. To beautify them look a black line in the center of the nose, the black ink extracted from the Jagua or zaptur .
We can not forget to put the ring in the nose when they reach puberty , beads or colored beads around the wrists and ankles . For special ceremonies used a large round earrings gold.
Their traditional dances and music are calling " Black Walnut cope " and the instruments used are bamboo flutes and maracas made ​​of pumpkin.
Laws governing them
The legal recognition of Kuna territory was completed by Law No 16 of 19 February 1953 , organized by the Kuna Yala.
The Government and the administration of local justice is exercised by three chiefs called Sahilas , each represents the internal administrative division of his district. There is also a mayor , who has the status of Governor and represent the executive in the Kuna Yala . . Governed by the Convention 169 of 1989 . They have the right to retain their own customs and institutions , but not incompatible with fundamental rights defined by the national legal right , nio human rights whose recognition is International .

3 . LOS EMBERA - WOUNAAN
Lie in the Wounaan in the Darien region , also occupy both collective land in the province of Darien and the province of Panama .
Occupy That Territory
Language Used : Embera- Woun Meu .
Law that governs
From Law 22 of November 8, 1983 , are part of the Embera - Wounaan . . Governed by the Convention 169 of 1989 . They have the right to retain their own customs and institutions , but not incompatible with fundamental rights defined by the national legal right , nio human rights whose recognition is International .















4 . LOS NASOS ( Teribes )
They live in the region Teribe river in the province of Bocas del Toro near the border with Costa Rica .
Occupy That Territory
Language Used : Naso .
Law governing them
They have their local authority. . Governed by the Convention 169 of 1989 . They have the right to retain their own customs and institutions , but not incompatible with fundamental rights defined by the national legal right , no human rights whose recognition is International .

5. EL PUEBLO BRI BRI .
The village Bri Bri according to report of the ombudsman's office in 2000 , is another ethnic group living in the border region Panama - Costa Rica . They inhabit the banks of the Rio Yorkin and Sixaola in Guabito District , Province of Bocas Del Toro.
Ethnicity is almost unknown , are about 400 families . Far development without being surveyed , their aspirations are to have a region . Have their leaders who apply their domestic laws. . Governed by the Convention 169 of 1989 . They have the right to retain their own customs and institutions , but not incompatible with fundamental rights defined by the national legal right , nio human rights whose recognition is International .