Chiriquí Chatter

Dec 24th, 2006 by Don Ray

It seems that the most Google searches that bring people to Chiriquí Chatter in December is related to Christmas Traditions in Panama. I don’t know if this is a typical teacher exercise for students living in a cold region to get the students to think about Christmas in a warmer part of the world or not, but I know some are students because of the (Interesting Comments which have to be deleted).

If you got here because of a school assignment, then have a look here.

I think it is a pretty good description of many Latin American countries Christmas traditions. The following is what the article says about Panama.

PANAMA: “Feliz Navidad” is the same Christmas greeting that is used in most Spanish speaking countries. Sometimes you will hear them say, “Felices Pascuas” though this is more suited as an Easter greeting.

The Holidays start for the Panamanian people on December 8th with the celebration of the Immaculate Conception. This is also Mother’s Day in Panama. Some of the little girls are dressed as Angels with wings attached to their dresses and there is a parade with the Statue of the Blessed Virgin being carried down the main street. The children also make their first communion on this day.

During the following weeks the ‘nacimientos’ are set up. Many have been in the families for years and were bought in Europe.

The first tree in Panama was brought to the Central Hotel from Europe by the Ehrman family. Not all families display Christmas trees.

The day of December 24th, is spent in food preparation and house cleaning. Some traditional Panamanian food is, pavo (turkey) and relleno (stuffing), arroz dulce and tamales (a cornmeal made into a paste with arturo sauce, meats, capers, prunes, and spices wrapped in plantain leaves and boiled). Fruitcake is a popular dessert item. The Panamanians listen to music as they await midnight to feast and visit family and friends. After eating, it is common for people to dance and celebrate in the streets.

On Christmas Day, December 25th, most worship at their church in the morning. The rest of the day is spent visiting far-away family and friends and eating the same holiday foods.
Although Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the other big holiday in Panama is Epiphany - or Dia de los Reyes (Kings Day), when the children get presents.
Christmas music is often traditional and includes songs called “gaitas” or “villancicos”. Lots of singing, eating, drinking and fun surrounds Christmas in Panama. The American influence with the building of the Canal Zone changed the holidays into a mixture of Panamanian and American traditions. In the Canal Zone the decorating of the exterior of houses with many lights and decorations made the season “brighter

Sorry I was so late in posting this, but maybe those searching to complete a Christmas assignment next year will not be so unhappy with what they found here. One thing the above didn’t mention is fireworks. At midnight on the 24th, there will many fireworks going off everywhere. In fact, some have been going off all week. I expect more to continue and the grand finale will be new years at midnight when Panama City will have it skyline covered with fireworks.

Today is the day before Christmas and I hope you are all with your family and have a wonderful Christmas and remember it is a time to share good memories and not just for exchanging gifts.

Tags: Holidays

Posted in Panama Journal

32 Responses to “Christmas Traditions in Panama”

on 24 Dec 2006 at 9:36 am1Jerry Gaspard

Thanks.
on 24 Dec 2006 at 10:07 am2Don Ray

Oh, I didn’t know you were writing a report Jerry.
on 24 Dec 2006 at 11:55 am3Kielbasadox

HOLA DON

QUE TENGA UNA MUY FELIZ NAVIDAD EN LA CIUDAD DE PANAMA. GRACIAS POR EL REPORTE SOBRE NAVIDADES EN PANAMA.
on 24 Dec 2006 at 12:40 pm4Don Ray

Gracias por eso.
on 24 Dec 2006 at 10:19 pm5Omar Upegui R.

Hi Don:

You can say that again about firecrackers on Christmas Eve. I’m prepared to hide under the bed when the skies explode tonight at midnight.

Merry Xmas Don!

Best Regards,

Omar.-
on 26 Dec 2006 at 9:08 am6melissa_cookingdiva

Great report Don! Happy Holidays and a big hug from Panama City…

Melissa
on 26 Dec 2006 at 11:03 am7Don Ray

Shucks, I am in PC. I should have gotten it in person!
on 28 Dec 2006 at 2:08 pm8sarah

Thank you so much for this information. I had to do a report over christmas vacation about spanish speaking countries and this website helped so much. Thank you
on 28 Dec 2006 at 2:15 pm9Don Ray

You have confirmed my suspicion Sarah. I am happy that you found what you needed. Come back again when you have more time to stay.
on 10 Dec 2007 at 6:33 pm10Matt

Yea, i had to do a report and this helped a whole lot. Thanks man!
on 10 Dec 2007 at 8:22 pm11Don Ray

Hi Matt. Glad it helped.
on 11 Dec 2007 at 11:39 pm12ndhs dude

im doing a report on panama (x-mas traditions) this did help a bit. thanx dude.
on 12 Dec 2007 at 10:24 am13Bill Henry

dude this is an awsome site has alot of info helped me get an “A”
THANKS!
on 12 Dec 2007 at 11:30 am14Don Ray

Hi Bill,

I am always happy to help a student.
on 13 Dec 2007 at 7:40 pm15Student

Hey Don Thank you so much. I have to do a report on 3 spanish speaking countries and how they celebrate christmas and every other site i went to hardly had any info and this really helped! Thanx
on 13 Dec 2007 at 7:57 pm16Don Ray

Score one more for Chiriqui Chatter.
on 18 Dec 2007 at 11:42 am17Bryan

wow! thanks, i really found this to be helpfull.
on 18 Dec 2007 at 11:46 am18Don Ray

Hi Brian,

Glad that Chiriquí Chatter is helping more in 2007 than in previous years.
on 19 Dec 2007 at 1:02 am19Rebecca

Oh, man! Thank you!!
There is so little info on the other sites, and I have a presentaion due soon. You have no idea how much this helps
on 19 Dec 2007 at 6:55 am20Don Ray

Hi Rebecca.
Glad to provide a little help.
on 19 Dec 2007 at 7:54 am21chel-c

thanks for helping me with my spanish class!
on 19 Dec 2007 at 8:14 am22Don Ray

De nada. Feliz Navidad.
on 20 Dec 2007 at 12:39 pm23Irina

very informative.. now i wonder if anyone is gonna show up for my 7pm dinner… damn, should have read your site earlier!! :o)
on 20 Dec 2007 at 12:44 pm24Don Ray

I missed the invitation.
on 20 Dec 2007 at 1:57 pm25ashley

thanks 4 da info
on 20 Dec 2007 at 1:59 pm26Don Ray

De nada Ashley.
on 21 Dec 2007 at 9:09 am27Gretchude

THIS IS NO HELP AT ALL
on 21 Dec 2007 at 9:15 am28Don Ray

Gosh Gretchude. I am so sorry you didn’t find what you were looking for. Better luck in your future googling.
on 22 May 2008 at 9:23 am29savanna

this really helped me i needed to do a thing for spanish and this helped me find the facts i needed
on 22 May 2008 at 9:37 am30Don Ray

Hi Savanna. I am happy that it was helpful.
on 25 Nov 2008 at 8:05 pm31Cassandra

Hey, thanks a lot! I was worried that I would have to search for hours on this (some spanish project information has been harder to come by.) So thanks!
on 25 Nov 2008 at 8:09 pm32Don Ray

Ho Cassandra. I am glad it helped.