Day 2: Visit to the Embera

Posted by Olivia Macdonald

Today was our first real adventure in Panama, a visit to Chagres National Park and the Embera. This was one of the activities I was looking forward to the most on our visit to Panama. I have always wanted to meet a native tribe and see in person how they live and what their culture is like. Seeing a two dimensional image through a documentary on Discovery Channel is a completely different experience than seeing and experiencing it first hand.

After about an hour's drive, we arrived at the park and met up with some of the Embera men who were going to take us by boat to the waterfall and their village. First stop, it was decided, would be the waterfall. I loved riding in the motorized canoe! It was almost like sitting right on top of the water's surface. We were the only ones going up this wide river, with looming jungle pressing up against its sides. The water was this beautiful dark jade and wonderfully cool. Apart from the roar of the motor, there were no human sounds. As Rachel wonderfully put it, "I feel like Pocahontas with a motor."

We got off the canoes and clambered over rocks to get to the waterfall. The water was freezing! It took a few seconds to get used to, but it was refreshing. Some people jumped in, but with my coordination and history of jumping into natural bodies of water, I opted for the gentle step down. We struggled to the waterfall and took turns sitting under the pounding water, with several of us almost lost our bathing suit bottoms in the process.

About an hour later, we headed off to the Embera village. They welcomed us in with drums, flutes, and tortoise shell. We went into one of the houses for a presentation about their history, way of life, and of course...food! The tilapia was some of the best fish I have ever had. It was really interesting to see where the different dyes used in the baskets came from and how they used architecture to keep themselves cool and free of mosquitos. We then went to look at their crafts and bought some of them (helping to get some Christmas shopping done too!). Afterwards, the Embera danced (with some of us joining them later) and we bonded with some of the children. Unfortunately, we had to leave too soon, although it meant another boat ride.