San Blas Archipelago, Acuatupo Island and Achutupo Island
The San Blas Archipelago on the Atlantic Coast of Panama has more than 400 islands. About 40 of those islands are inhabited by Kuna Indians. These indigenous people were originally living in the tropical rain forest of the Darien area between Panama and Colombia. Around 250 years ago, due to competition with other indigenous groups, they moved to these islands where they have been ever since.
Today the Kunas are a strong group, with their own language, customs and folklore. They represent one of the most pristine groups that have managed to survive Western society without losing their own culture. Most of the people speak Spanish and a few speak some English, but they prefer to speak the Kuna language. The thousands of people that live in this area have autonomy from the Panamanian government, so that they rule their society by their own laws, and they see themselves as citizens of the Kuna-land rather than of Panama.
These unique people live in small houses, where the walls are made of palm tree bark and the roof is made of palm leaves; they sleep in hammocks hanging from the walls. The Kuna are small people; men are rarely 5’5.” Women and children (such as the girl in the photo above) wear traditional clothing. In this little piece of paradise they have reached a balance between the benefits of western society such as medicine and education, without losing their unique way of life.
The San Blas Archipelago on the Atlantic Coast of Panama has more than 400 islands. About 40 of those islands are inhabited by Kuna Indians. These indigenous people were originally living in the tropical rain forest of the Darien area between Panama and Colombia. Around 250 years ago, due to competition with other indigenous groups, they moved to these islands where they have been ever since.
Today the Kunas are a strong group, with their own language, customs and folklore. They represent one of the most pristine groups that have managed to survive Western society without losing their own culture. Most of the people speak Spanish and a few speak some English, but they prefer to speak the Kuna language. The thousands of people that live in this area have autonomy from the Panamanian government, so that they rule their society by their own laws, and they see themselves as citizens of the Kuna-land rather than of Panama.
These unique people live in small houses, where the walls are made of palm tree bark and the roof is made of palm leaves; they sleep in hammocks hanging from the walls. The Kuna are small people; men are rarely 5’5.” Women and children (such as the girl in the photo above) wear traditional clothing. In this little piece of paradise they have reached a balance between the benefits of western society such as medicine and education, without losing their unique way of life.
