Celebrating Panama: National Holidays and The History of the Pollera

In November, we want to celebrate one of our favorite countries. Panama national holidays take place throughout November, a month in which the city lights up with parades, tamborito music, and traditional costumes.

Our way of paying homage to this beautiful country is by diving into the history of the pollera, an exquisite dress that women wear proudly and that leaves foreigners in awe when they first see it. Let us introduce you to the Panama pollera.

History of the Pollera: Panama Celebrates Its Two Anniversaries

The keyword in the heading is “anniversaries”, in plural, because Panama independence didn't happen once but twice. On 28th November 1821, Panama went through the exact same process as its Latin American sibling countries: it declared its independence from Spain.

For the Spaniards, Panama had been a strategic spot in their colonies, providing a passage from Alto Peru to the Caribbean, where they could take merchandise, goods, and, most importantly, gold.

It was also one of the very first Spanish settlements in the Pacific and, a century later, one of the three main routes during the California gold rush.

The History of Panama: Independence from Colombia

Yet Panama's journey towards full autonomy was barely beginning. Now it had become part of the great Columbia and was associated with the said country. The second Panama Independence Day is celebrated on the 3rd of November, which commemorates the day when they became a separate nation in 1903. 

Celebrating Panama With The Traditional Pollera: Panama Dresses Up For the National Holidays

If you are traveling to Panama to obtain a residency, or if you want to check out the 100% titled island for sale in Bocas del Toro, we strongly recommend you do it in November.

And if you do, make sure to take the month off and clear out all meetings or remote work because Panama national holidays are celebrated with great fanfare. The city is filled with parades in which men wear traditional peasant costumes and women the worldwide known Panamanian pollera. 

The Uniqueness Of A Diamond: The Panama Pollera

All women who participate in the parade flaunt a pollera of some kind, but none of them can be compared to the pollera worn by the queen, who rides gracefully on the carriage. All attendees have their eyes set on this Panama pollera, which is called “pollera de gala”.

It consists of a skirt and a blouse with the same design forming a unified ensemble, commonly mistaken for a dress. The pleated skirt shows exquisite embroidery work of a vibrant color (usually red or blue) against the white fabric.

Such fine work is done by artisans, and it takes years; hence, the Panamanian pollera can cost between 10,000 and 12,000 dollars. In the provinces, people organize events and save money throughout the whole year so they can afford to have their polleras ready in November. 

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The Panama Pollera Ornaments

From the lady’s neck hang numerous gold necklaces with gold coins, and their ears and hands display long, carefully elaborated earrings and rings made of the same material. 

One of the most striking features of the costume is the “tembleque”. It’s an ornament made of beads that gives shape to various motives, mainly animals or flowers. They can have different colors, sizes, and shapes, and the most impressive ones can take up half of the woman's head.

The History Of The Pollera: Panama And Beyond

The history of the pollera takes us back to 16th- and 17th-century Spain, however, not to the dresses of the royalty or the aristocracy as one may intuitively think: it takes us back to the outfit that peasant women wore every day.

Research shows that those outfits are the basis of the modern-day Panama pollera: a pleated skirt ornamented with flowery embroidery. Furthermore, it was a nice piece of clothing to wear in warm weather and comfortable enough to let them carry out the daily chores.

Then, the history of the pollera takes us beyond Panama as the tradition was spread along different corners of the colonies. Now, these are the modern countries of Bolivia and Peru. As it found new places, the pollera absorbed the characteristics of each location and its community. 

Now, the Panamanian pollera is a representative of the rich cultural tapestry we find in Latin America, a crucible of different cultures, a place where African traditions met with the local habits and the European influence brought by the colonizers. 

The Deep Significance Of The Pollera: Panama Combines Tradition With Progress

At Mundo, we're proud of Panama as a country that respects tradition while aligning with the modern needs of international investors. Even though the country is relatively small, it has become a business and lifestyle hub in the region.

Actually, we believe its size may be an advantage because it doesn’t suffer from any of the problems that big nations usually deal with, except for maybe a really bad traffic during rush hour.

Despite that, the capital city maintains a small-town feel within a world-class environment, with towering buildings and advanced urban infrastructure.

Disclaimer: this article doesn't present formal research on the history of the Panama pollera and its background. This article does not constitute financial migration or relocation advice. 

Happy Panama National Holidays From Mundo

Through its traditional pollera, Panama shows us its essence and potential. Patiently concocted by the most talented artisans, the Panama pollera is a true feast to the eye, especially for those who are seeing it for the first time.

A large part of the Mundo team is based in Panama, and we have a physical office here. This is why we're very excited to celebrate Panama independence and even happier that the celebration lasts a whole month.

As for us, we are a publication dedicated to the perpetual traveler and global citizen. We have a specialized team and several expert partners, thanks to which we can offer ample variety of services and tools. Browse around our site to read about all the opportunities available in Panama as well as in other locations. When you're ready, click the button below and send us your inquiry.

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