In All Things: Switching Cultures

It's amazing that in as small a country as Panama there is so much diversity in people, culture, language, and terrain. Since moving to the other side of the country I've been adjusting to everything that's different from where I used to live in the Darien. As a coordinator for water projects I work with a lot of volunteers by giving technical support and visiting their communities. Most of them are in the Comarca Ngabe Buglé, the largest indigenous region in the country, located mainly in the highlands of western Panama. Even though I live in a mostly Latino town, I've been spending much of my time traveling to Ngabe communities. So basically I've switched from hanging out with Emberá people in the jungle to Ngabe people in the mountains. As a result there are some things I need to get used to.

Some Differences:

Emberá: Why walk when
you can ride in a canoe?

1) Emberá do not walk long distances, they take boats. Ngabes walk for miles just to visit a neighbor (not even kidding). Also the Darien is FLAT. In the land of Ngabes what they call a little hill is a MOUNTAIN.

Ngabes: Short walk up a small hill (aka hiking a mountain)

Emberá: Laundry in the river, with advanced technology

2) Emberá bathe almost constantly in the river, they are in the water a large part of the day. Ngabes do not live by rivers, they walk to small springs and scoop water on their heads from a puddle.

3) Emberá are loud and in your face, and very talkative with strangers. Ngabes are really good at staring at strangers without making a sound or changing facial expression. When communicating with Ngabes I have to fight the urge to speak Emberá out of habit. I'm starting to learn a little more of the Ngabere language now though.

Emberá: "Hello stranger, let me tell you a story"

Emberá: Again, meal time is their favorite time

4) Emberá eat. A lot. Ngabes eat white rice, sometimes accompanied by a chicken foot.

Emberá: They love to eat

5) Emberá wear very little clothing. Ngabe men generally don't leave the house without a shirt and pants, women wear long dresses with sleeves.

Embera: Always keep it casual

Ngabes: Women in traditional dress

Ngabes: Houses with natural flooring

6) Emberá houses are raised 8-12 feet off the ground. Ngabe houses stay at ground level.

Emberá: Houses are up high

Okay these are heavily exaggerated generalizations and not meant to criticize or stereotype, but just a few things I noticed to be a contrast in general.

So anyway I've been pretty busy with this new job doing a good amount of travelling. Here's a photo summary of some work activities up to date: