Panama
September 2018
7:13
Traditional puberty custom has been a rite of passage for young Emberá women but in recent years it is not being practised as often. Young women share their views on the custom and how it ties into their culture and identity.
Film by Ginger Sanchez
From the youth training workshop in Panama August 2018
Sara is President of the Coordinator of Territorial Women Leaders of Mesoamerica and an Embera leader from the General Embera Congress ...
Ginger heads up communications for the Forestry Association San Andrés Petén (AFISAP), a member organisation of the Association of Fo...
Dance is integral to the indigenous Embera culture of Panama. So is the body painting. Migdalys Cunampio works to maintain the spirit of these traditions, so the young women do not lose their identity. She is instilling a pride in their customs to rescue their culture; “Always show you’re Embera.” Film by Olo Villalaz, Mara […]
Reclaiming and strengthening indigenous culture is vital to maintaining ancestral connections to nature. This must be passed onto future generations by celebrating indigenous traditions. Embera youth are spearheading a cultural revival, after decades of assimilation, through traditional body painting and storytelling. Meanwhile sustainable community forestry initiatives are creating low impact income for communities that rely […]
Film by Ivan Jaripio, indigenous filmmaker from the Embera community of Piriati, Panama. A hydroelectric power station was constructed in Panama in the 1970s – displacing indigenous Embera communities. Despite agreement from the state that their relocation would enable them to remake their lives through their traditions and customs, 40 years later they continue to […]
