Culture+of+Panama

Culture of Panama  Before traveling to any region, it is important to find out about the people who live there. This section focuses on the people of Panama and their unique culture.
 * Geography || History || Culture || Political System || Economic Structure || Activities ||

media type="youtube" key="FRyl8M70a0o" height="385" width="480" align="center"

 The Languages of Panama  Though Spanish is the official language of Panama, 14% of Panamanians speak English as their native tongue. There are also various indigenous languages that are still spoken throughout the country. Many Panamanians are able to speak at least some English and many college-educated Panamanians in Panama City are even bilingual.

The Food of Panama  Panamanian food is similar to that of other countries in Central and South America, but is not really spicy. Corn is commonly found in meals in Panama and takes on many forms. Cooking is done mainly in oil. Dishes including fish, seafood, and shellfish dishes are Panama's specialties. Other foods commonly eaten in Panama include are pollo (chicken), ceviche (raw fish in lemon juice and cilantro), patacones (fried plantain slices), corvina (a white fish from the Pacific), and camarones (shrimp).  Beliefs of Panamanians // Christianity plays an important role in Panama. With 85% of the population identifying themselves as Roman Catholics and the other 15% identifying themselves as Protestants, religion is clearly of importance to Panamanians. The video below shows the president of Panama during his meeting with the Pope. //  media type="youtube" key="67PwgomZ-Ww" height="385" width="480" align="center"

 Traditions in Panama  Panama is rich in folklore and popular traditions. This country is known for its lively salsa dancing, and Ruben Blades is considered its best-known performer. Handicrafts are most influenced by the first peoples who lived in Panama, such as the famous Kuna textile //molas.

//

As far as holidays, people in Panama celebrate two independence days, one on November 3rd from Colombia and the other on November 28th from Spain. The celebrations are typically low-key, but school children do put on a parade in most areas. New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, on the other hand, are big occasions with lots of celebrating for Panamanians. Children burn effigies of Father Time at midnight in many areas. Larger towns in the central provinces hold rodeos for cowboys almost every Sunday.

<span style="background-color: #ffb200; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 35px; text-align: center;"> Societal Expectations for Panamanians <span style="display: inline ! important; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 18px; text-align: left;">Women have reached the highest levels in all the professions, especially government service and education in Panama. Nevertheless, there is almost no feminist movement in Panama and prostitution is still legal. Women enjoy public equality with men, and are seen on the job and in public places such as restaurants, talking freely with male family members. <span style="display: inline ! important; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 18px; text-align: left;">Although Guaymí Indian leaders may have more than one wife, other Panamanians marry only one spouse at a time. Divorce is permitted under liberal terms by the Civil Code. //**<span style="display: inline ! important; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 18px; text-align: left;">According to society's expectations, the ideal family unit for most Panamanians is the nuclear family of a married couple and their children. The Kuna Indians, however, prefer to have new husbands go to live with their brides in the latter's house. These then become extended families around a grandmother, her husband, and her married daughters and their husbands.

<span style="background-color: #ffb200; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 35px; text-align: center;"> Education in Panama

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 18px; text-align: left;">Compulsory education in Panama is for grades 1-6 or through the age 15. Attendance rates are fairly good, holding at 95% for primary school-age children. Panama's literacy rate is 92% overall, with 94% of urban and 62% of the rural populations being literate. As of 2004, more than 92,500 Panamanian students attended the University of Panama, the Technological University, and the University of Santa Maria La Antigua, a private Catholic institution.