Penny In Paradise

Pamana is well known for it’s traditional dress, known as a Pollera (po-yera).   Some of these beautiful creations were made up to a hundred years ago, and are handed down from generation to generation.   They are hand embroidered and every dress is different.   The dress consists of a blouse, a skirt, a petticoat and a colored yarn ball at the front with matching ribbon and shoes.

Pollera

Pollera Dancers

Pollera Dancers with Male Partners in Traditional Panamanian Costume

In the Azuaro Peninsula, near a town called Las Tablas, there is an annual Pollera Festival where up to 200 women come to show their unique Polleras and crown the Queen.   Then, there is a big parade…..

Contestants awaiting their turn at the Pollera Festival

Even the little ones get in the contest.

There’s a big parade during the Pollera Festival….with floats.

When the parents visited, mother and I took to the stage among the Pollera Dancers

Mother and I at with Pollera Dancers

Traditional Devil Dancers

The traditional Devil Dancers originated with indigino men painting red and black stripes on their bodies, and wearing scary masks on their heads, with feather plumed headpieces, sandles and working the wooden castinettes between their thumb and forefingers, to the sounds of a tranditional Spanish guitar.   Today’s Devil Dancers wear costumes made of red and black fabric, and their scary masks are now made of paper mache.

My private collection of masks

My private collection of masks

My private collection of masks

My private collection of masks