Panama is an wildly diverse country filled with culture and history. The Darien Gap is one of Panama’s many claim’s to fame and the Emberá Wounan are an important part of the Dairen.
The Emberá Wounan migrated from South America to Panama around the same time the Spanish conquistadors first set foot on the Isthmus. Unlike the conquistadors, they never left. The Emberá Wounan inhabit part of the Darien jungle as well as Teribe and Cricamole in Bocas del Toro. They live today much like they have for the last few centuries. Men wear loin cloths and women wear colored skirts and are nude from the waste up save for traditional body paint.
However, the Emberá Wounan have adopted modern ways purely out of necessity and convenience. Most families use cellphones, children are taught world history and english and in more recent years a tourist committee was formed.
Since the development of Panama’s cruise ship industry about ten years ago the popularization of visiting villages has boomed. The closest and most accessible of all the Emberá Wounan villages, Embera Drua, lying a mere two hour boat ride up the Charges river from Panama City.
While Embera Drua has evolved and changed to keep pace with many modern times many villages still follow a traditional way of life. Living, hunting and gathering off the land and working towards preserving their ancestors way of life.
We can arrange for you to visit an Embera Wounan village. Ask about additional tour info!