Patriotic Background

Patriotic Background

Andrea V

            It is very easy to find people from different countries in Panama. This is due to the influx of foreign enterprises, as well as our past history. Panama is a place that has a broad number of races living under the same sky. We accept people, and embrace changes with our heads held high. There is no standard Panamanian. 

            But there are some singular things that identify Panama, here and abroad, and one of them is La Pollera , our national dress. Our bonds with Spain since the discovery of the New World by Cristopher Columbus, brought deeply rooted influences in many aspects of Panamanian life. This was specially developed in the central provinces of Los Santos, Herrera, and Coclé. The Pollera we use as our national garment was inspired by gypsy, Andalucian and Valencian influences.  The tradition of wearing Polleras has been in Panama since 1650.  Polleras were worn by maids and low class village people until the restauration of Ferdinand VII, when Santa Ana was shot up by 30 women dressed in Polleras. Since then, Polleras are worn by women from all the social classes.

           

It takes a lot of time to create a Pollera, sometimes years. They are hand sewn by women, using fabrics, filigree and lace from Europe. They are filled with flowered embroidery. Using different techniques, they create unique masterpieces on the white

fabric, using white or a particular color of thread and lace. Polleras are worn with gold necklaces, some pearls and corals, dipped coins or chained necklaces.

The Pollera is so important in our culture that many events are held where it is the central motive. To mention La Pollera is to mention Panama.   Contests to choose the best  Pollera are held every year, as well as La Dama de la Pollera Contest where a lady is chosen for her beauty and best dress. The Parade of One Thousand Polleras takes place in Los Santos every year, and draws thousands of visitors.

Seeing the Polleras, awaken memories of my childhood. When I was about 5 years old I attended classes of Panamanian folklore dances. These classes required to use a long skirt simulating a Pollera. The teacher not only made important remarks on how to dance, and move along the floor, but also on how to show off the Pollera. For special occasions we were asked to have a complete Pollera attire, that includes the matching flat shoes, neck and chest jewelry, and special hair style and ornaments called tembleques. My mother and a friend of her dressed me, and applied make up on my face. My sister also participated. We enjoyed the music, the dance, and the attention we grabbed from the public attending the shows. My parents have many photographs from those occasions.

La Grotta Azurra

La Grotta Azzura

 

Andrea V

The ferry ceased its moving; we had arrived to our destination:  Capri a small island on the coast of Naples.  At first, I couldn’t understand all the excitement. For me it was a regular island, nothing seemed special about it. It was relatively small, had a sunny and windy climate and seemed average. We saw a passage of stairs leadings towards the ocean. I was suspicious for a while, until I saw a cave opening and some small boats disappearing behind it. There was a line of 10 people before us, all sitting in the stairs, and drenching in sweat. “It better be worth it,” I said .

I stared at the ocean to divert my gaze from the stairs. The long line ahead of us at the stairs, made me feel disgusted, because I knew it would be a long boring wait. Although I had to admit it was a beautiful sight.  The water, mixed with the sun creating a strange hue of aquamarine color. This contrast of colors called my attention. It was as if mermaids were tempting you to jump in. They were calling my name, repeatedly. I could almost picture myself jumping in, and falling for their spell.  I reached the conclusion that this cave must belong to mythological beings from the past. I could picture mermaids swimming inside and doing some of their rituals. The sun´s rays were making my imagination run wild.

 It was finally my family´s turn to climb  into the cramped boat. We were five including the boat driver. He had to maneuver in order to avoid the rocks that stuck out, restricting our entrance into a different realm. As the five of us crouched, and tried to lie down on top of each other, we submerged ourselves into the unknown of the depths of the cave. One moment we were outside in the human world, were the heat was unbearable, and now we were inside a cave that created a mystical time warp in our daily world. The hollow water brought chills, and the small crevice was enough for a gushing wind to rush throughout the whole cave, and embrace our bodies.  We sat up, and heard the echoes around us. We heard some inconceivable words that were uttered and echoed the whole time we were inside. This was Emperor Tiberius private swimming pool. We  were now in a sacred place, were there were once statues  guarding  the entrance , and where you would find Neptune’s  menacing gaze  if you would dare to violate the rules and  entered. All of it screamed about the past. The rock formations, made the cave look like an enclosing cage. The water that emitted a translucent blue glow sent you spiraling into the Roman times…

La grotta azzura, hidden for centuries; was another secret of the sea. The sea acted as a vessel to transport you, into the deepest of trances; calmly without you noticing, with each sway of the boat. The water had a mesmerizing effect on people, it made illusions become real. Time ceased to be imperative, and for a while you forgot about the people around you. If only you could float in that limited space, and drink up the water’s glowing elixir, sink into the most lucid parts of your mind. You would find all of your problems solved, in an instant wave of serenity. All your dreams accomplished. The air created such vivid hallucinations. Everyone had a hopeful distant look; it was as if the water reflected its light onto us.

  I will never forget such a magical experience. I engraved that moment forever in my memory and, every time I recall it, I feel a surreal essence overcoming me. It’s very hard to put in words what happened inside that cave. Capri, for me, is a mysterious island. That in some way or another would surprise anyone.  I bet that there are still many of its secrets lying around waiting to be discovered.