The Kuna People of the San Blas Islands
Posted by Travel Editor
When you visit the San Blas Islands for your vacation, you should know a bit about the people of these islands. The San Blas Islands are inhabited and controlled by the indigenous Kuna Indians. The Kuna Indians are a closely knit tribal society who have inhabited the San Blas archipelgo for thousands of years now. In fact, there are historical references which point out to their existence in the islands as far back as the 1500s when the European travelers first landed on the Americas. The Kuna Indians are believed to be the descendents of the Caribs. Most of them live in the same ways and traditions as their ancestors before them would have several thousands of years ago.
Kuna Indian society is fascinating because their society is known as a matriarchal society. What this means is that women are accorded great importance, as the line of inheritance is supposed to pass through them. Daughters, unlike the situation in patriarchal societies, are highly valued in the Kuna society since they are the ones who would ultimately bring in additional helping hands into the families.
The Kuna people who inhabit the San Blas Islands are a good example of how both the old and new can exist together. You can find modernity, co-existing peacefully with traditional culture in all the islands that make up the area. The islands themselves are controlled and governed by the Kuna Indian since a bloody revolt in the early 20th century which resulted in the Panamanian government giving the islands to them. They were allowed to continue their traditional way of life and speak their own language and have done so to this day.
The division of labor can be found in all the Kuna families. While the man of the house would typically cultivate the land, gather coconuts and produce wooden utensils, the women would prepare the food, sew the clothes for themselves and their sons, clean the house and unload the boats. The Kunas have their own traditional festivals and customs. These customs have been passed on from generation to generation in the form of ritualistic chants and dances.
The Kuna women are known for creating beautiful molas, brightly colored fabrics with images of special ceremonies, animals, plants, and geometric designs. These molas make up their national dress which is worn daily by the women. They also adorn themselves with arm and leg bands, rings in their noses and sarongs. If you are looking for a wonderful souvenir of your vacation in the San Blas islands, this is one souvenir you should buy. Molas made by the Kuna women are well crafted and spectaculary beautiful and not mass produced from some factory in China. This souvenir of your trip to the San Blas Islands will last forever.
The livelihood of the Kunas is based primarily on fishing and agriculture. A large percentage of what they produce is exported to the mainland, most especially fish, coconuts and plaintain. Their diets include a lot of fresh fish, lobster, some domestic animals, tropical fruits and coconuts. The coconuts of San Blas Islands are particularly famous. In fact, it is still sometimes used as a form of currency in many of the islands among the people, even today.
If you planning a San Blas Islands vacation, you will more than likely be staying with a Kuna Indian family or in a hotel owned by the Kuna Indians and it is good to know a few facts about the Kuna people. They are a friendly and welcoming people and will be sure to make your vacation in the San Blas Islands one you will remember forever. They will do many things to help you on your vacation from giving vacation advice, to transporting you to another of the islands in their own boat. Always remember to tip a dollar if you are going to take a photograph of a Kuna Indian.
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Brief History of the San Blas Islands
Posted by Travel Editor
The San Blas Islands, Panama, are among the most beautiful vacation destinations in the world. Consisting of 365 magnificent islands, located along the coast of northeast coast of Panama, they offer a spectacular combination of rich culture heritage and beautiful scenery consisting of mountains and miles of unspoiled beaches. The islands are full of natural beauty and dense vegetation. The scenic coastline has been attracting visitors from around the world recently and cruise ships stop over on the islands as they sail by.
The original inhabitants of the islands are the Kuna Indians. The first European travelers, while on the way to discovering the Americas, arrived here in the 1500s. Although the native Kuna Indians have been pressurized several times to embrace a more modern way of life, they have resisted it quite bravely and still hold on to their ancient and rich cultural heritage. In fact, it is their lifestyle that makes a trip to the San Blas Islands such a memorable experience. You can enjoy the feeling of escaping to a tropical island, and learn about the ancient culture of the Kuna people. Along with the pleasures of breathtaking beaches, snorkeling in the reefs, swimming, sunbathing, you can visit the villages of the Kuna people and perhaps go fishing with them in one of their traditional boats. You will step back in time and experience a most rewarding break from the stress and hassles of everyday modern life.
The Kuna have been really passionate when it comes to preserving their traditional culture. They have managed to hold on their traditional way of life and their language, for a long time now. In fact, their history is intertwined with the history of Panama. After a bloody revolt, the islands were given to the Kuna Indians and they were granted autonomy and the right to live their traditional lifestyle by the Panamanian governement in 1925.
The Kuna women are more intriguing than their men folk, when it comes to their dressing sense, still they wear the traditional clothes. The women here wear their colorful handmade clothing of mola pattern and weave, while the men have gradually started wearing western clothes in recent times.
Fishng and agriculture have been the main drivers of the local economy of the San Blas Islands, Panama. Coconuts and fishing count among the major produce of the islands Tourism has recently added to their economy and is slowly becoming being one of the main revenue earners for the islands. However, you will not find a chain of luxury hotels here. Accommodation is simple and basic as far as hotels go,. The other choice would be to stay in a guest house or with a Kuna family. The Kuna people have always welcomed visitors with open arms. This would give you a chance to observe their life and culture at close quarters, to truly immerse yourself in their culture and lifestyle.
The gorgeous beaches, the numerous natural attractions and activities and the traditional age old culture, combined with the long and cherished history of the area and the warm nature of the people here, make the San Blas Islands Panama, one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world. If it is not already the most visited tourist destination, it will soon become one for those longing to escape to a peaceful tropical paradise.