Carnival is a popular cultural celebration that takes place in many countries around the world, and Panama is no exception. The event takes place annually and is celebrated over the 4 days prior to Ash Wednesday. For most of Panama, it is a family holiday.
Carnival is characterized by lively music, dance, colorful costumes, and an upbeat atmosphere.
The festivities kick off this year on the evening of Friday 17th February with the coronation of the Carnival Queen, followed by dancing in the streets through the night.
On the morning of Saturday 18th February, La Mojadera – the Water Hose starts. From about 9am onwards in the central plaza and other open areas throughout the city and in other towns, cistern trucks (culecos) will water-hose (mojadera) people for a few hours, this is usually accompanied by loud music, entertainment, and lots of beer and seco. If you go out and about, be prepared that people may just throw water at you, the tradition is to get soaking wet, so dress accordingly. As it’s the hottest time of the year, it can be a pretty welcome experience for a lot of people.
After all the excitement of La Mojadera and the morning’s partying, everyone goes home to chill out, rest and prepare themselves for the evening festivities. Panamanians love to party late!!!
In the evening, the parade starts. The parades typically feature floats (“topones”), bands of mostly trumpets and drums (“tunas”), and, of course, the Carnival Queen and her court in elaborate costumes. The parades have a different theme each night. People from all over the country and abroad come to Panama City to take part in this lively celebration and to show off their costumes. The parade is a mesmerizing display of vibrant colors, intricate designs, and rhythmical movements, as the participants dance through the streets of the city to the beat of music from the Carnival bands.
Another aspect of Carnival in Panama that stands out is the tradition of “polleras.” The pollera is a traditional dress worn by Panamanian women and is considered an important symbol of the country’s culture and heritage. It is a long skirt made of fine cotton or wool, adorned with intricate embroidery, lace, and ribbons, which is accompanied by expensive jewelry mostly of gold. Women from all walks of life wear the pollera during the Carnival celebration, showcasing their cultural pride and love for their country.
Alongside the Grand Parade and the polleras, Carnival in Panama is also celebrated with a variety of other activities, such as live music performances, street food stalls, and cultural exhibitions, and of course, this wouldn’t be a Panamanian celebration without an excessive amount of fireworks! The streets are alive with energy and excitement, as people of all ages come together to dance, sing, and have a good time.
The final activity of Carnival is done in the early hours of the morning on Ash Wednesday and is called the ‘Entierro de la Sardina’ – ‘Burial of the Sardine’. The Carnival Queen leads the final parade like a funeral procession and the symbolic sardine is carried in a coffin to its burial spot. This tradition was an import from Spain and signifies the end of partying and the beginning of the 40 days of Lent. Due to the high Catholic population of Panama, Ash Wednesday is considered an important day across the country, signifying the first day of Lent leading them through to Easter.
Whether you are a local or a visitor, Carnival in Panama is an event not to be missed.