Kuna Vendors hiding from the sun in Casco Viejo Panama

We were surprised to see the Kuna vendors hiding from the sun in Casco Viejo  (Spanish for Old Quarter) Panama. If they were not used to the hot Panama sun, nobody was… A little awkward we thought.

It was a hot day in January, but totally acceptable for tourists and people from outside the country.

Walking a little farther on the Casco Viejo boardwalk we noticed some foreign youngsters. They selling their crafted jewelry to tourists as well, but without the need of a shelter.

… so what was the mystery behind the scene of the Kuna vendors hiding themselves under the vending tables?

Suddenly I had the idea to look at my watch: it was around 2 ‘o clock! Oh,…coming from North America, we completely forgot about the well known custom in the Latin countries: Siesta 🙂

The Kuna vendors in Casco Viejo Panama

The Kunas were hiding from the sun, not because they couldn’t bear the heat – they just wanted to take a nap 🙂

After the nap, these Kuna vendors were working on their crafts under the tables. They were there like in a private room. You can notice their Chivas Regal bottle too 🙂

A little cultural information:

• Kuna people are native Panamanians originating mainly in the  San Blas Islands of Panama (Kuna Yala) – which is a beautiful place almost inaccessible and untouched by tourists.
• They are talented in crafts and clothing and also good in agriculture.
• They are also very good merchandisers with a long history in trading goods.

These skills and the willing to increase their rather thin income brought them to places like Panama City and Boquete – It’s nice seeing them as part of the urban landscape 🙂

• Kunas like to wear their traditional costumes –  and often ask for money from the tourists willing to take photos of them ( more in Panama City than in elsewhere.

One of the most popular crafts they’re making are the “Molas”which Kuna women use to decorate their dresses. * I uploaded this photo to my Panama gallery at Fine Art America, and it’s available as art print. Click on it for details:

However, Molas can also be used for pillows, or house decor, and this is what tourists are buying them for.

Click on the photos to see them in a larger format on my travel photography gallery along with more photos from Casco Viejo, Panama City

---

Friendly Friday Photography: Working Together |