P. 16 - LA PLAYA
MARCH / MARZO 2014
WWW.PLAYACOMMUNITY.COM
“Los Carnavales” in Panama
costumes, dancers and queen.
Las Tablas Carnival
C
arnival in Panama is one
massive party that echoes
throughout the country. Historically,
“Los
Carnavales”
were
celebrated by Roman Catholic
societies before Lent. In present day,
Carnival is seen as an excuse to party
for all, no matter race or religion.
Carnival celebrations in Panama
typically involve a street party and
parade through local town centers.
“Culecos”, large water trucks, spray
carnival goers as they dance to
blasting reggaetone and enjoy
elaborate fireworks in the street.
Dancers in extravagant costumes
wave to the crowd as they pass by on
large colorful floats. And silk signs
hang from balconies with Calle Ariba
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or Calle Abajo painted loudly.
From March 1 – 5, towns across the
country will be full to the gills with
locals and tourists excited to experience carnival. While the largest and
most visited parties happen in Las
Tablas and Panama City, each town
joins in with their own carnival
celebrations.
Towns along the Azuero Peninsula
host Calle Arriba (Upper Street), Calle
Abajo (Lower Street) competitions.
The contest divides the town into two
sections, upper and lower. Each
section of town will host their own
party, and choose their own carnival
queen. The two sides of the town will
then compete for the best floats,
Most Panamanians consider las
Tablas, a small town located in the
Province of Los Santos, the best
place to experience Carnival. The
small town hosts the biggest Calle
Ariba vs. Calle Abajo competition in
the country. Judges along with the
carnival queen will make their
decisions based on the creativity and
quality of the costumes and floats.
The inter-town rivalry between Upper
and Lower Street is a ritual deeply
embedded in the traditions of
Carnival.
The traditional competition between
Calle Ariba y Abajo can also be
enjoyed in Pedasí, where carnival
festivities still hold true to the
traditions. In these small towns,
“musica tipica” plays