South America: Can someone help me with a school project?

[Malin Hafskjær]

I am doing a school project on "indigenas kunas" Can someone tell me a bit about them?
how they live, beliefs and such

Gracias

[Indiana Frenchman]

the web page (below) presents: PANAMA: KUNA TRIBE AND ECOTOURISM
The Issue

Tourism is increasing in importance as more developing countries look toward this industry as an alternative to achieve sustainable economic growth. In particular, eco-tourism is a trend that is being embraced by some indigenous groups in Latin America in order to gain the necessary income to meet basic social needs and at the same time to reinforce their cultural identity. However, this type of economy has challenged the traditions and lifestyle of indigenous groups because by participating in a market economy they are exposed to globalization and the risk of loosing their culture and natural resources. Nevertheless, the Kuna’s in Panama is one group that has been relatively successful in maintaining a balance between western influences and their traditional culture by limiting and regulating tourism within their own autonomous territory.

2. Description

Kuna History and Culture

The Kuna are an indigenous group with a population estimated at 53,000 located mainly in Panama. The majority of Kuna Indians live in the San Blas Archipelago (Kuna Yala) located along Panama’s northeast coast. Other groups of Kuna live in scattered settlements in Darien province of Panama and in Colombia. The Kuna settled this area because they found refuge here from the subjugation of Spanish colonization. The relationship between the Kuna and the Spaniards catalyzed the beginning of the journey of struggle to maintain their traditional lifestyle and resist assimilation. Their success at maintaining isolated by moving from the mainland to the periphery has resulted in a strong cohesiveness in this group that continues to this day.

After the independence of Panama from Spain and subsequently Colombia the Kuna continued to fight for their own autonomy. Ultimately, the 1925 rebellion against government policies banning traditional dress and religious customs resulted in the successful establishment of a semi-autonomous territory (Comarca) granted to the Kuna. This special status granted control to over 365 small coral islands of the Archipelago (San Blas) and 2,357 km2 of coastal region in Darien. Under the Comarca status they have the right to internal administration of laws and social policies under the jurisdiction of the federal Panamanian government. The geographical location of the Comarca de San Blas has allowed the Kuna to remain for the most part outside of the influence of western culture. The autonomy they have achieved according to Rogelio Alba, one of the Kuna members of Congress, is “an example that many brother Indians from other countries like Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Colombia have come to see [5].”


The Kuna social structure is rather well established and organized. For the most part Kuna villages are similar although they may vary in size and degree of modernization. Kuna political life is dominated by a congress conducted by a chief and the interpreter. It is important to note that “chiefs derived their authority from their knowledge of the sacred chants, and the interpreters derived theirs from their ability to interpret the chants for the people [4].“ Elected officials preside over meetings that deal both with religious and secular affairs. During the meetings “men, children, and women in bright, intricately embroidered clothing file into a dirt-floored congress house, were the town elders sit astride hammocks [and] decide many of their own affairs according to customs practiced before Columbus [5].” There are two main types of meetings. The first is the chanting meetings open to all members of the community. These chants are meant to be a source of cultural reinforcement because they emphasize cultural figures, teach values, and the Kuna moral code. On the other hand, the talking meetings are formal gatherings of the eldest men to discuss laws and settle disputes. Agreement is reached with a consensus rather than majority vote. In addition, General Kuna Congress is held several times a year and each village sends their representatives.

The Kuna traditional economy includes hunting, fishing and farming, with tourism increasingly becoming a source of income. Although, hunting is decreasing in importance farming continues to be a form of income. Coconut farming is the main cash crop and other crops are also grown but mostly for their own consumption. Women are an important source of income because they make a traditional sewn craft called mola that they sell to tourists. Customarily “Kuna women spend hours sewing panels for their blouses and when they tire of a particular blouse, they dissemble it and sell the molas to collectors [7].” This art form reflects Kuna culture through traditional themes. Overall, Kuna society has preserved their traditions through their cohesiveness and through their value for their own culture. However, this task is more complex as tourism is displacing traditional forms of income.


see web page for Role of Tourism in Kuna Society, pictures and more