The culture of Panama is a mix of African, indigenous American, North American and Spanish influences, which are expressed in its traditional arts and crafts, music, religion, sports and cuisine. Panamanian music is popular throughout Latin America, and the country is also known for its many festivals. Panama's culture is the result of its geographical location and history. The movement of people throughout the country's history created a melting pot of cultures that resulted in a unique and very diverse national identity. Panama is a mix of different cultures, all mixed together in one big bag.
The cuisine of Panama, like that of many regions, consists of endemic ingredients that have been prepared in different styles affected by migration. Because of its geographical function as a land bridge, connecting North and South America, Panama is diverse and based on an eclectic mix of ethnicities and cultural origins. The sport that first won international recognition in Panama was boxing thanks to legends such as Roberto Durán, Panama Al Brown, Ismael Laguna and Guillermo Jones. This page will attempt to provide a brief summary of the different aspects of Panamanian culture, including its folklore, cuisine, music, literature, sports and cinema.
Other renowned Panamanian artists in different genres include Grammy award winner Rubén Blades, jazzman Danilo Pérez, Los Rabanes and Carlos Eleta Almarán. In Panama, out of a total population of nearly 4 million, around 400,000 speak an indigenous language. Panamanians are often surprised to hear that Americans prefer to send a sick family member to a health facility rather than care for them at home. Many Panamanians are firmly convinced that their country is different from others in the region, perhaps because of its intense history or its unique geographical location.
Panama City also hosts many international rock artists and is home to a thriving EDM (electronic dance music) scene. Panama also has a surprisingly diverse population, as a result of the existence of intact indigenous groups and constant immigration over the past 500 years. Lineages are also important in Panama; the person you are related to can determine your status within society. But even so, if you appreciate the good hearty food that leaves you satisfied after a good meal, you will never be disappointed to eat in Panama.
This sentiment is best summarized in the popular Panamanian phrase, bridge of the world, heart of the universe, which means “bridge of the world, heart of the universe”. These include the Pacific hills, the lowlands and the Azuero Peninsula, a place considered by many to be the “heart of Panama”. Traditional handmade hat worn by men in Panama, an essential part of men's national attire, is known as a painted hat. Some of Panama's main dishes include rice and chicken (rice with chicken), sancocho (a chicken soup with endemic roots) and ceviche (fish cooked with lemon, common in other countries in the region).
