Black Panamanians Celebrate Black Heritage Month May 2008
Black Panamanians are gearing up for Black Ethnic / Black Heritage celebrations May 2008. This will culminate in Black Ethnic Day closing event in Colon. While talking about Blackness is a sure way to light a fuse in the US these days, the rest of the world’s Black peoples continue to move on. Nevertheless, the far reaching effects of dissension over major issues in America has always had an impact on similar discussions elsewhere in the rest of the world.
Thus, the issue of race now reaching microwave proportions in the US has not gone unnoticed by this Blogger. It will undoubtedly inform my own discussions on Blackness this month. But for now let me tell you what’s on for Colon as we celebrate Black Ethnic Month or Etnia Negra.
Several events have already been held, in preparation for the month’s celebration. Over the past couple of weeks the Colon’s Black Ethnic Committee held pageants in schools. They have been selecting outstanding children and youth to represent their schools and to receive awards for outstanding work including displaying knowledge of their culture. Celebrations will continue in schools over the course of this month.
On Sunday the 27th April there was a special Afro-service and celebration of a Congo Mass at the Iglesia de San felipe (St. Phillip’s Catholic Church) in Portobello, Colon. This is the same church that is the residence of the Black Christ. Read more about Panama’s Black Christ – el Christo Negro in this post.
The Black heritage ecumenical gospel concert that was held at our church last year, will be hosted by Trinity Methodist Church in Colon.
This year though, our congregation, First Isthmian Baptist will host an Inter-Faith service on Thursday May 29th at 5:00pm. This promises to be a rich event which will see participation from different local Christian churches, the Black Muslim community, Panamanian Rastafarians, and the Congos associated with the Roman Catholic Church in Colon and Portobello. This is a powerful community statement when all Black persons of different religions can meet together in worship.
On Thursday May 27th, there will be a solemn session at the Municipal Council at 10:00. This is a serious session where the Black community recognizes and confers awards on Black persons from Colon for their outstanding contribution to their communities. The underlying emphasis is though, is on the promotion of Black achievement and Black pride.
Then it’s Parade time! And yes, food…
You know there can never be a festive occasion in Panama without a parade. Panama’s parades are becoming legendary in my book. So the month long celebrations of Black consciousness in Panama will end with a parade through the streets of Colon, starting at 10:00am. This will include marching bands from schools, community organizations and churches. The day ends with a cultural/food fair at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Here there will be displays of Panama’s Folk Dances, and the best Caribbean food. Man, it nice cyan dun!
So stay tuned for more updates on the events unfolding in Colon, Panama.
Take care,
Marvia
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May 3rd, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Cool, I’m so happy to know events such as these exist in Panama! Have you ever heard of The Silver People Chronicle Blog? http://thesilverpeoplechronicle.blogspot.com/ It is very interesting.
Thanks for posting.Can’t wait till your next post.
Peace,
KA
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:47 pm
KA,
Thanks for the link. It’s a really informative blog, lots of Caribbean (I try hard not to use West Indian but most Black Panamanians still keep that name) Diasporan history there.
Take care!
May 4th, 2008 at 2:31 am
We invite all Afro-Panamanians and friends and admirers from Panama and Colon areas to participate in and enjoy the public events for the Etnia Negra celebration during the month of May. Panamanian Black Heritage month.
**24 May- Panama City -Colegio Episcopal San Critobal- Calle 10 Parque Lefevre- Family Day
**25 May-Gala- Panama City- in support of La Red de Mujeres Afrodescendientes- Galerias Obarrio-Paradise Lounge- 5 PM-12MN This is a fund raiser. Formal evening attire.
**30 May- Colon- Parade- A bus for transporting people from Panama City will depart from Torres de Alba (Cangrejo) in Panama City-7 AM.
For more information and/or to reserve you can contact us at the Silver People Chronicle by e mail.
http://thesilverpeoplechronicle.blogspot.com/
BTW Marvia this is a great blog with a lot of good information.
May 4th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I’m right there with you about the use of the word West Indian! Its kind of funny to me how the great “explorers” called everybody Indian. American Indian, West Indian, East Indian, lol. I digress.
Peace,
KA
May 5th, 2008 at 2:36 am
Lydia,
Welcome! Thanks for sharing additional details on the Black Heritage celebrations – especially the Panama City leg.
I hope to meet you on the 30th!!
Loved your Blog too:-)
Marvia
May 5th, 2008 at 3:25 am
KA,
Yes..you know!
May 9th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
It’s funny but, there is a little history behind the use of that word “Westindian,” or “Wesindian” as the Spanish speaking people pronounce it, since basically, that word was what distinguished them from the Spanish or “coloniales” when meeting. It is also a way to hang on to their cultural identity. Just a cultural note!!
May 10th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Thanks for injecting that one Lydia!
Tell me though, since the term ‘West Indies’ was a gross error made by Columbus when he came to these parts of the world (he thought he had arrived ‘West of the Indies’); And since the Africans who were captured and enslaved in the ‘West Indies’ were not in the least bit ‘Indian’…should we keep the name ‘Westindian/Wesindian’ as cultural identity when it really does not speak to our identity but continue to perpetuate an error?
What do you think?
Marvia
May 15th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Marvia, since my parents are Panamanian and Jamaican I appreciate this information. I have long enjoyed the pleasure of growing up in both cultures. I love the way your blog also celebrates both heritages.
I remember my first passport said, “British West Indies.” This was a way that Jamaica was identified as a British Colony. My mother told me that since my passport and birth certificate states this, it makes me also a citizen of the Britain. I never thought of that until now.
May 15th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Dee,
.
What exciting news you have shared with us! You are real Caribbean Diasporan child for true
Yes you were a ‘British Subject’ of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II:-) You could have travelled freely to Britain and if you took up residency there then you could have applied for full citizenship of Britain itself instead of one of it’s territories. All that changed after Jamaica’s Independence though.
I’m glad I could provide you some info on your dual heritage.
Peace,
Marvia
May 19th, 2008 at 4:44 am
Stories on heritage and keeping the community alive is always important. Unfortunately in today’s modern times we have forgotten how.
That is why it is so nice to see blogs like yours who focus on quality information.
May 19th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Thank you! As they say, ‘encouragement sweetens labour’. You are welcome anytime. And all the best with your work as well.
Peace!
May 21st, 2008 at 9:55 pm
@ Maria: thank you for your kind words.
December 28th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Hello this is random but I need to find out about my Grandad who was born in Panama and went over to Jamaica. His name was Armond St. Juste and was born in 1913.
Many thanks
Martine Anson
January 8th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
We also have Chinese / Jamaican /Panamanian. I’m also proud of my Heritage. Although i look very latin i’m very proud of my Jamaican heritage.