 Darien
EMBERA AND WOUNAAN (formerly CHOCO) INDIANS
The Emberá
With an estimated population of 15,000, the Emberá inhabit the Darien rainforest of Panamá. This tribe along with the Wounaan were formerly known as the Choco because they migrated from the Choco province of Columbia in the late 18th century. Both the Emberá and the Wounaan have a similar river basin culture.
The Wounaan
There are about 2,600 Wounaan indians who also live in the Darien rainforest. In 1983 the government of Panamá recognized the Comarca Emberá-Drua, a semi-autonomous Indigenous territory for both tribes. This territory overlaps the Darien National Park and Biosphere Reserve.
 Defying change, the Darien indians live in the wildest, most primitive existence ... very much as the Spaniards found them early in the 16th century. Scattered along the banks of the many rivers that crisscross the Darien, far from the comforts and problems of civilization, they seem to be in complete harmony with their surroundings. Proud, peaceful, honest, but suspicious of outsiders, they live a day-to-day existence in which there are few economic pressures.
Ignoring government procedures and regulations, and usually make their own laws. They are the Indians most often maligned in stories about the Darien. Possibly because of their savage appearance, they have stirred the imagination of the mythmakers. They are, however, more friendly than their Kuna cousins.
Both men and women go about practically nude. The men have a muscular frame, an abundance of straight black hair and wears earrings. The rest of the attire of the men consists of a small G-string and a generous coating of dark body paint made from the dye of a native berry from the genip tree. They also use a red paint made from achiote, the orange-red seed pod which is commonly used to give color and flavor to Panamanian cooking.
They are semi-nomadic and dwell independently in small one or two family groups. They build their shelters along the banks of rivers which serve as their highways and source of livelihood. The dwelling is a platform raised on posts several feet above the ground. |
