The Embera people are a native people who live in Panama. I’m not sure how I feel about this. One of the ways they sustain themselves is through tourism. Tourists go to their village and see how they live. Two groups a day go through and a show is put on with traditional dancing, meals and what not. It is beautiful to behold, but to what extent are they prostituting themselves for the awe value of it? Are they polluting their culture by turning their children into performers for the benefit of those coming in? I’m grateful for the photographs I was able to get, but beyond that, I’m torn. How do you feel?
A Bycyrus, the steam shovels that dug the Panama Canal. TR was photographed in one of these when he visited in 1904.
I’m a sucker for chicken busses
View didn’t suck
The village chief
Kids are always kids
View from the school that the government establishes for the Embera people
This man was college educated, he returned to his village to make a contribution. Here he is building his own canoe by hand!
The Embera survive through tourism and arts and crafts.
This is one of the teachers whom is provided by the government. He dresses and lives like the Embera.
An Embera shaman leading a tour of medicinal plants
To be a kid again!
One of my favorites
MJF Photography 