The month
of November in Panama brings the sound of drums and trumpets as parades
commemorating the country's independence festivities take to the streets.
November
parades in Panama bear the same significance as 4th of July fireworks
and barbecue in the United States. From as early as May or June, thousands
of school kids across the Isthmus spend long hours rehearsing in their
bands, which normally include a troop of baton spinners, a large drum-and-bugle
corps and an instrument section, headed by each school's honor role
students wearing red-white-and-blue ribbons on their chests and carrying
the Panamanian flag as a sign of distinction. Civic, religious and
private institutions also take part in the parades, with members dressed
in folklore attire, such as the Pollera (the country's national attire
for women) and Native American and Afro-Caribbean costumes.
Panama's
history is unique because it records two "independence days",
both observed this month. On November 3, we celebrate the secession
from Colombia and the country's birth as an independent republic in
1903. On November 28, we celebrate our independence from Spain, which
took place back in 1821, and marked Panama's incorporation as a Colombian
province.
Marching on Vía España.
In between
these dates, there are literaly scores of national and regional holidays
related to the events of 1821 and 1903. Some towns and cities in the
interior provinces also celebrate the day in which their forefathers
received the news of independence (back in those days, the news travelled
on horseback in most cases.)
The following
is the list of the most important holidays in November
Nov.
3: Independence from Colombia
Nov. 4 Flag Day
Nov. 5 Independence in Colón (national)
Nov. 9 Independence in Veraguas (regional)
Nov. 10 First Cry for independence in Los Santos (national)
Nov. 28 Independence from Spain
Parade route No 1: Calle 50.
Most public
offices are closed on these dates, but visitors can take the opportunity
to visit many parts of the country during this time of the year. Celebrations
in La Villa, province of Los Santos (Nov. 10), are very picturesque,
featuring folklore dances, fireworks and games. This same holiday
is celebrated with the same fervor in La Chorrera, a suburb of Panama
City, located 30 km west of the capital, where horse-drawn carriages
and beautiful ladies wearing Polleras are a well-established tradition.
In Boquete, where a large expat population has taken up residence
in recent years, the big celebration is November 28.
In Panama
City, the Nov. 3 and 4 parades will be held on two routes. The first
will be on Calle 50, in the banking and hotel district, departing
from the Aquilino de la Guardia intersection, and ending at the intersection
with Via Brasil. The second route will be on Via España, starting
in Obarrio and ending in the area of La Cresta. The parade will start
at 9:00 a.m.
