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San Blas Islands, Panama
This island chain off the Eastern coast of Panama has been inhabited by the Kuna Indian tribes since before the Spanish Conquistadors "concurred" South and Central America.
The Kunas have a legendary reputation as fierce warriors. Originally the 'Comarca de San Blas' or ' Kuna Yala' populated the Darien mountains but the early Spanish and other foreign fighters or local tribes forced the Kunas to the Eastern coastal areas and finally to the offshore islands.
Finally, in 1925, the Kunas rebelled. killing all foreigners and even their mixed race offspring. After killing many Panamanian policemen, the USA intervened and persuaded the Panamanian military and government to 'back-off'.
In 1938 the government of Panama granted the Kuna leaders autonomous rule of the officially recognized "Comarca de San Blas".
The coconut tree and lobster fishing have been their only source of barter with the "Yankee" schooners and through the years their individual language has some added spice with words like "mani" for money, "Watchee" for watch or time, "merki' for any foreigner of white skin from the word 'American".
The Kunas are a fiercely proud and well organized people. They have their own form of government based on a chief's Chief and 3 chiefs for the 3 regions. This is set in oral history and now written in the 'Carta Organica' and governed by the chiefs at their annual 'Congreso'. A different village hosts the Congreso every year and must provide for their elected chiefs and entourage during the week long meeting.
Their only form of transportation is the self-built dugout canoe called the 'Ula". All Kunas are masters of this advanced design and even the women and children are expert paddlers.
If the cruiser stays aboard ship, the Kuna women will paddle out and try to persuade you to buy some of their excellent handcrafts including the popular "Mulas" and other handicraft.
The San Blas Islands are some of the most beautiful in all the world and the San Blas Kunas are some of the most unique people you will meet.
posted by Wanderlust @ 4/09/2007 09:50:00 AM
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2 Comments:
A note from Pam Wall a 3 time circumnavigator and West Marine's outfitting expert.
Hi, Mike!
So happy to hear you reached the San Blas in good shape! Any chance the chief in the Hollandaise Cays is still a man named Arnolfo Robinson! He was the chief when we were anchored there in 1985!!! He had a wonderful story, for his name. When he was a little boy, and his father was the chief, an American on a big schooner sailed into where KANDARIK and now WANDERLUST are anchored. The American captain really loved the little boy, Arnolfo, and he asked the chief if he could take Arnolfo to New York to be educated. The Captain, Captain Robinson, promised to return Arnolfo to the Cays when he was finished with school. And, true to his promise, the young man, now calling himself Arnolfo Robinson, returned to his island to become the chief after his father has passed away.
Arnolfo could not have been more hospitable to us and our children when we anchored there so many years ago! It brings back all kinds of fond memories for me. If you go ashore, could you ask about Arnolfo Robinson for us? I remember having a delicious dinner ashore with Arnolfo and his wife and children, it was roasted iguanas!!!!!!! And delicious coconut bread rolls!
Keep those e-mails coming, I love them! If you have to stop along the coast, Isla Grande and Portabello would be wonderful to see!
Love,
Pam
Pam Wall
West Marine
Outfitting Manager
Hi Mike! Have been enjoying all your posts and pictures. I'd be interested in your itinerary planning, and in particular, what countries will require visas in addition to your passport. Keep the posts and pictures coming!
Dan
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