Globalization

Globalization, defined as the amalgamation of different national economies into one international market, is an increasingly important component of modern economics.  Whether or not a country is globalized, can predict its economic success and influence. Panama ranks as the highest globalized country in Latin America. Considering its location between two continents and two oceans and its famous canal system, this statistic is not too surprising.  After Panama gained control of the Panama Canal in 1999, it has experienced positive economic growth. Key international goods that pass through its canal include automobiles, agricultural food, and technology (1). As a reaction to Panama’s economic explosion, there is more traffic in the canal and a need to increase the canal’s width to allow more ships to travel through it.  Panamanian voters passed a $5 billion dollar bond measure, aimed to reconstruct the Panama Canal.  With the completion of this project, the canal’s shipping capacity will double and allow for larger ships (2). An estimated $1 billion dollar profit will be received in eleven years.

With every major construction project comes positive and negative results. The obvious positive outcome is that Panama will become a more significant player in the world market. Panama needs to take this step toward greater globalization to maintain a stable economy. The concern that opponents fear is that it will increase corruption. The profit of the canal barely provides any benefits to the average citizen. It is predicted that the rich will become richer and the poor will become more deprived. In a previous post, I wrote about Panama’s poverty issue stemming from a lack of roads. Will the Panama Canal’s revenue help to construct basic roads or will it be absorbed by wealthy corporate people? It will most likely be the latter. It is also interesting to note that out of the 14,000 canal employees, only 4,000 of them are Panamanian citizens (2). Since many Panamanians are unskilled workers, the Canal Authority will probably continue to hire foreign workers. Although the design aims to recycle water and minimize damage to marine life, the construction will result in deforestation, runoff, and negative impacts on the wildlife.

Whether or not this construction plan is a wise decision does not matter. It was passed and construction will soon follow. Panama’s success as a global player is the country’s key priority. Hopefully the profit of the canal’s expansion will trickle down into basic construction necessities and Panama’s education system. Perhaps with this increase in economic revenue, the standard of living will increase as well.

 Image Source: http://ows.edb.utexas.edu/site/sah-site/photos-4

Sources:

1.       http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/panama-globalization-472017.html

2.       http://www.globalenvision.org/library/3/1339

Poverty in Rural Panama

                A strong characteristic of Latin America is its extreme contrasts between the rich and poor.  Panama is no exception to this generality.  The country ranks among the highest in economic inequality, sharing similar statistics with South Africa and Brazil (1).  According to reports made in 2008, 28.6 per cent of Panamanians are poor, while 11.7 per cent live in extreme poverty (2).  Rural areas have the highest concentrations of poverty.  Indigenous groups, especially the Ngobe-Bugle, also tend to have high poverty rates. 

                Poverty in rural Panama is mainly a result of a lack of basic economic services.  There are few connecting roads, which prevent these people from easy access to schools, food markets, and health services (1).  Since rural people often rely on subsistence farming, the inadequacy of roads prevents them from easily transporting their goods to the local food markets to make a profit.  The poor are more prone to infant mortality, malnutrition, shortened lifespan, and infectious diseases.  The absence of roads plays a significant role in child malnutrition since it prevents children from accessing health services.   

                As a reaction to rural poverty, many Panamanians move to urban areas in hopes to make more money.  Although this helps the individual have a more sustainable life, it often harms the culture where the individual originated. This idea is exemplified in the Kuna video shown in class. To recap, the young woman left the Kuna territory to obtain a secretarial job in Panama City.  She enjoyed the freedoms and opportunities found in her new lifestyle. However, with more young people leaving the Kuna area, the weaker their culture becomes because the young people are not present to learn it and to continue passing the culture on to their children.  A method to help improve the standard of living for Panamanians, while also allowing them to maintain their cultural identity needs to arise.

                Although there are many intricacies to poverty, a starting point to help improve the conditions of the people would be to construct roads. The problem with this simple solution is that road construction is a delicate issue. It would require the destruction of a large amount of land, which may result in protest.  

Sources:

1.http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTPOVERTY/EXTPA/0,,contentMDK:20207841~menuPK:443285~pagePK:148956~piPK:216618~theSitePK:430367,00.html

2. http://www.ruralpovertyportal.org/web/guest/country/home/tags/panama

Racial Hegemony in Panama

            Existing in almost every society around the globe is the issue of racial inequality. Although Panama claims to be a racially egalitarian society, lacking any inequalities attributed to an individual’s physical appearance and heritage, discrimination does exist. Through my research, I found that the more economically powerful a specific “race” of people tends to be, the higher that “race” is placed on the social hierarchy. An interesting race relation is seen in Panama’s Archipelago region.  The region’s population is roughly 18,000 and consists of a mix of Afro-Antilleans, indigenous people, Chinese, Latinos, and Europeans.

The history of the region’s racial segregation is significant because it offers a rare incident when darker skin was favored over lighter skin. The story begins in the late 1800’s when about 30,000 Afro-Antilleans arrived in Panama to work either on the construction of the Panama Canal or on the banana plantations. It is important to note that these immigrants spoke English. Contrasting from most Central American countries, like Honduras and Nicaragua, where blacks and indigenous people intermarried, the Afro-Antilleans and the local Ngobe indigenous tribe did not.  This is due to a sense of superiority that the Afro-Antilleans developed after achieving economic power. To explain, during the 1920’s, a fungus spread into Panamanian plantations and destroyed many crops. Rather than fix the problem, many United States citizens who managed the plantations returned to the United States. As a result, payroll decreased and many Afro-Antilleans obtained the clerk and supervisor jobs that were abandoned. Additionally, since Afro-Antilleans spoke English, they had the ability to communicate with North Americans (Guerron-Montero 213).

This turn of events had a significant impact on the social status of the black community living in Panama. Since they had jobs, they earned money and could afford their own plots of land.  The Ngobe indigenous group mainly missed out because they did not speak English. This is a unique instance of the darker skinned individual being ranked higher than the lighter skinned person. Similar to how some people in Brazil change their appearance to look more “white” by dying their hair blonde, Panamanian indigenous people “perm their hair and style it in ways that make it less evident that they are indigenous.”(Guerron-Montero 217)  Indigenous people were also given derogatory terms like buchi and bushmen which share a similar meaning to “hillbilly.” Darker skinned people continued to carry this high status until the beginning of white tourism during the 1990’s. After this contact, racial hierarchy flipped entirely, placing the lighter skinned person at the top.

Similar to how the Afro-Antilleans gained their social prestige, the new preference for lighter skin was also a result of an economic power shift.  To elaborate, the white tourists who visited Panama were usually wealthy people. Interestingly, the Panamanians were more entranced by the tourist’s extreme wealth and ability to pamper their wives and families than their light skin color. With time, Panamanians began associating light skin with wealth. This ultimately led to the preference for light skin.

Panamanian social hierarchy is very interesting. The government claims it does not exist and that distinctions are based on economic class and gender. In a sense, the government is somewhat correct. The Afro-Antilleans during the early mid 1900’s held a high status because they held good jobs during that time; therefore, a high economic status. The white tourists were also ranked highly in economic power because of their wealth. Unfortunately, since specific “races” have a tendency to dominant a certain economic bracket, racial discrimination develops as a side effect.

Guerron-Montero, Carla. "Racial Democracy and Nationalism in Panama." Ethnology 45 (2006):

            209-28. JSTOR. Web. 6 Apr. 2011. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/20456595>.

Ceremonial Grindstones

The Gran Chiriquí region, located in southern Costa Rica and northern Panama, contains ancient pre-Columbian artifacts dating from 500 to 1500 AD. Throughout most of this region’s history, maize has existed as an important crop, nourishing the people and having a large role in their ceremonial affairs.  In recent years, artifacts have been discovered that were assumingly used to prepare maize and aid in ceremonies.  Archaeologists call them “metates.” Constructed from porous volcanic stone, these artifacts range in size from 10 cm tall and 30 cm in length to 40 cm high and 90 cm long.  The metates’ basic purpose was to grind corn.  However, the ornamental quality of many metates suggests a ritual function.  The grindstones located in Gran Chiriquí are recognized for their intricate stone relief patterns that depict geometric and animal designs. Commonly featured animals include jaguars and birds. This is unique to the region; most grindstones from other regions are plain. Since maize was such an important crop, archaeologists link these sculptures with the concept of fertility, a popular theme for ancient societies since so many are believed to have struggled for survival.  It is suggested that these metates may have served to bring fertility to the agricultural land.

Source: http://www.precolumbianstone.com/panama.htm

Changing Attitudes on Gay Rights

A crowning characteristic of the term “culture” is fluidity.  Although a culture consists of a society’s traditions and customs, it never truly remains “traditional.”  Culture is always moving and evolving with every generation. An obvious example of a shift in Panamanian cultural beliefs stems from the country’s current gay and lesbian rights movement.  Within the past several decades, Panama has become progressively more accepting toward homosexuality, which reflects the society’s changing cultural attitudes.  The rights of homosexuals was brought to national attention in 1996, when the first Panamanian gay/lesbian association was formed under the title Asociación Hombres y Mujeres Nuevos de Panama (AHMNP)[1]. Over the years, the group has petitioned for partnership rights and hosted several gay pride marches.

Although homosexuality is legal in Panama, there are countless restrictions enforced on the homosexual minorities that threatened their rights as individuals. Beyond the inability to marry one another, homosexuals are not allowed to join the military or police. Other typical discrimination acts involve being evicted from apartments based on sexual orientation and losing custody of children. In recent years, gay rights activists have taken steps to put an end to these discrimination issues. In May of 2010, Ricardo Beteta proposed Law 50, which attempted to legalize gay marriage. Although he had little hope for it being passed, he figured that simply “getting the issue on the legislative agenda and having hearings and a debate…would be an advance for the cause.[2]”

 Opponents of gay rights often associate it with pedophilia and claim that gay marriage would destroy family values. Personally, I do not understand how a gay marriage can destroy a heterosexual marriage. It is important to realize that each family has a unique value system that should not be clumped into a generic model.  Some families favor a hierarchy relationship between the spouses, whereas others seek egalitarianism. In addition, some families support or resent polygamy. The list goes on. The point is that there is no standard and ideal set of family values to destroy because marriage, across the globe, has too many different definitions.

Back to the focus. The views on homosexuality in Panama are slowly becoming more accepted.  Like all evolutionary processes, the concerns and rights of homosexuals will not immediately be embraced, but will slowly become more recognized and tolerated by the larger population until few people have a problem with it. Similar to how most young Americans are shocked that Caucasian and African American individuals were not allowed to marry each other prior to the American civil rights movements, I believe that future generations will eventually feel the same way about gay marriage.

Photo Source: http://www.thepanamanews.com/pn/v_16/issue_10/news_05.html

[1] http://www.gaytimes.co.uk/Hotspots/GayGuide-action-Country-countryid-752.html

[2] http://www.thepanamanews.com/pn/v_16/issue_10/news_05.html

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Basic Etiquette

     When people travel to different countries and fully immerse themselves into its culture, they usually feel like a huge outsider.  Without having grown up in the culture, they lack the cultural insight to understand social cues, etiquette, body language, etc. Simple things that they never consciously thought about in their homeland suddenly become obvious and even off pointing in some situations.  Before crossing a foreign county’s border, it is wise to look up basic and common gestures used by its people. It not only prevents the tourist from becoming a social mockery but also helps them swiftly travel through the country with respect.

Luckily, for the American traveler, Panamanian gestures have some similarities. Panamanians share a value on personal space, standing at arms length during a conversation with little physical interaction.  However, it is more common for close acquaintances to kiss each other on the cheek when they meet.  During a conversation, people are expected to sustain constant eye contact, without casually wondering the eyes away and back.

In the United States, people highly value time and often organize their entire lives on a schedule full of dates and times. Lateness is considered rude and unprofessional. In Panama, conversely, people do not place such a frivolous value on time. Panamanians put more emphasis on human interaction.  It is not really about showing up to the birthday party at a set time, it is about eventually arriving to celebrate and bond with their friends.

Another interesting gesture difference is in the way Panamanians supposedly point at things. Rather than use their finger, they use their lips to pout in the direction of their focus.  When hailing a cab, they extend their arms with their palm facing downward while pulling their fingers in, making a “come here” motion.  The drinking age is eighteen. However, at some bars, if you have the money, they will most likely sell it to you anyway. As a side effect of gender stratification in Panama, it is not appropriate for women to go to bars alone, but it is social acceptable for a woman to dine alone.

In conclusion, Panama has some unique standards on etiquette. It is important to study a country’s principles on appropriate behavior because it gives insight into their values and what they consider to be important and respectful.

Source:

http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student_details.php?Id=30&CID=159

Wounaan Hösig Di

The Darién rainforest, located in the Darién province of eastern Panama, serves as the home and source of inspiration to the Wounaan indigenous tribe.  Throughout most of the tribe’s existence, anthropologists believe that its female members have passed down an artistic basketry tradition, which is termed Hösig Di. The baskets are constructed using strips of black palm, colored with natural vegetal dyes that are extracted from the rainforest.  The basket’s shape is formed by a repetitive and intricate coil pattern. So detailed are these baskets, that the production of a single basket may take several years to complete.

            When examining the timeline of the baskets, a distinct evolution of the basket design occurred in the 1980’s.  Prior to this time, baskets were plain and designed specifically for utility. This change in tradition occurred after Panamanian gallery owner Llori Gibson discovered the Wounaan craft. Recognizing the precision and quality found in these baskets, Gibson encouraged the Wounaan basket makers to begin incorporating designs and motifs to help develop the baskets into a salable craft.  This interaction has created a lasting impact, progressing the creation of beautiful baskets and helping the Wounaan tribe become more economically self-sufficient. The price for one Hösig Di typically ranges from $3,000 to $5,000.

            Since the 1980’s, the Wounaan basket makers have developed two distinct design motifs.  The geometric motif, which incorporates vivid grids, zigzags, chevrons, cobwebs, dots, cross-hatching, and more, is inspired by body painting, spiritual paraphernalia, and the nervous system. Pictorial motifs, also referred to as natura, are reflections of the flora and fauna that exist in the Darién rainforest. Typically, these designs include flowers, birds, iguanas, trees, and jaguars.

            Hösig Di, along with the Mola textile from the Kuna culture are the two Panamanian crafts that I have researched. Between the two, I have noticed several trends. Both the Hösig Dis and the Molas are produced by the female members of the tribes.  In addition, each craft has a significant role as a major economic export.  I believe these trends reflect the tribes’ gender roles.  The tasks of women usually involve domestic chores in these types of societies. It is also important to note that the Wounaan tribe is matriarchal. Therefore, women have a significant role in their society, not just in family lines, but also in the economy. 

Source (text and images): http://www.rainforestbaskets.com/aboutartists.shtml