Panama

Tamborito, Panama's national dance

“El Tamborito” means the little drum and it is more

than a dance. The tamborito is contagious. It is

an expression of the Panamanian grace, faith, hopes, desires, spirit and

soul. It is Panama’s typical and

folkloric musical theatre. Its intoxicating rhythm and underlying emotions are

communicated to all.

PANAMANIAN FOLKLORICO DANCERS IN TRADITIONAL COSTUMES & HAIR ORNAMENTS (Tembleques)

Panama's folklore is fully expressed in its traditional dances, its colorful "Pollera", the national costume,

and "tembleques" (hair ornaments) worn by women; the embroidered, long- sleeved shirts, calf-high

trousers, and a straw "Montuno" hat, the national costume worn by men.   (Courtesy of Panamanian

Folklore Dancers of Killeen, TX)

The Diablicos Sucios Dance

The Diablicos Sucios are the ones from Los Santos and

Chitre, provinces. They wear red and black stripped suits that originally were painted with charcoal and "achiote"

over cotton "manta sucia" and carried an animal bladder that

usually stank; when they danced and sweated the colors

ran off making a dirty look-hence the name "sucios".

The cone that they use to hold the mask is beautifully

decorated with red guacamaya feathers. They also use castanets and a

stick. There is no narrative sequence in this dance.

Reggaeton and its Origins

There are two existing versions of reggaeton origin: some say that it originated in Panama,

others argue that this musical direction comes from Puerto

Rico. That is actually where the majority of reggaeton singers

come from.

Reggaeton actually developed from Jamaican Reggae, but was certainly influenced by various

other musical directions, like for example, North American Hip-Hop and Puerto Rican rhythms.

Famous Panamanian & Puertorican Reggaeton

Singers

Winsin & Yandel

Don Omar

FlexEddy Lover &

Demphra

Daddy Yankee

Bibliography

Websites: http://

ohpanama.com/2006/06/tamborito-panamas-national-dance.html

http://panamaliving.com/mi_panama.html

http://www.czimages.com/CZMemories/Photos/diablicos/diablicopres.htm

http://www.reggaeton-in-cuba.com/en/history.htm