Panama Luxury Real Estate | Panama Sovereign Realty
Panama Luxury Real Estate | Panama Sovereign Realty
Panama Luxury Real Estate | Panama Sovereign Realty
Pedasi's Desfile de las Carretas and Panamanian Independence Celebrations
Each year towards the end of October, Pedasi celebrates a 3-day folklore festival known as “El Desfile de las Carretas”. This festival unofficially serves to kick off the November independence celebrations as throngs of Panamanians and tourists descend upon Pedasi.
The event includes traditional music, dress, dancing, the famous ox-drawn cart parades in and around our downtown area and town square, a running of the bulls (el toro suelto), and culminates with a violin contest where local violinists face off in the town square to showcase their talents.
The cart parade pays homage to Panamanian folklore and the traditional way of life and there is no better time to enjoy our traditional music, dress, and dancing. Cart parades are celebrated throughout small towns in the interior of the country, and Pedasi’s is always among the most highly celebrated.
Panamanian Independence: El Mes de la Patria
November is known as “El Mes de la Patria” in Panama. It’s a time to celebrate Panama’s hard-won independence: from Spain in 1821 and Colombia in 1903.
Each November, people in cities and towns all over Panamá celebrate their national sovereignty through lively parades and parties. You’ll find that Panama City largely empties out as city residents travel en masse to the interior of the country to take advantage of the long holiday weekend and reconnect with friends and family. Many businesses and government offices also operate on a reduced schedule or are closed for much of November.
If you’re planning a trip to Panama, we highly recommend that you try to make it here during the month of November. No other time of year offers such a great opportunity to observe and take part in the rich array of cultural festivities throughout the country. Those who live here permanently are lucky in that we experience these moments year after year. We look forward to sharing them with you.
Please feel free to contact us directly for travel tips and recommendations on where to go and where to stay. We’re happy to help!
Below is a brief description of the national independence holidays celebrated throughout Panama during the month of November. They’re listed as they now occur on the calendar, rather than in their original chronological order.
November 3rd: Independence from Colombia (1903)
The first holiday of El Mes de la Patria is Panama Independence Day, commemorating Panama’s separation from Colombia in 1903. On this day, people dress in red, white, and blue to celebrate their country’s freedom from colonial rule. Parades assemble throughout the country, proudly displaying a strong patriotic spirit. The largest and most elaborate Independence Day celebrations occur in Panama City, but often the smaller local celebrations throughout the country offer a more up-close and intimate experience.
November 4th: Flag Day
The Flag Day celebration takes place on November 4th, once again commemorating Panamanian independence from Colombia. In 1925, Maria de la Ossa de Amador designed the flag of Panama, and it was officially adopted on March 25th of that year. The Panamanian flag is divided into four even quarters of red, white, and blue with two stars, also red and blue. The red and blue quadrants represent the liberal and conservative parties, respectively, while white represents peace in the nation. The blue star symbolizes purity and honesty in civil society, and the red star represents the rule of law, together standing for the new republic.
November 5th: Colon Day
Colon Day celebrates a strategic win in the fight for independence from Colombia in 1903, whereby residents of Colon City persuaded Colombian forces stationed there not to advance their position into Panama City. Without this persuasive effort in Colón, Colombian forces potentially could have gained a more favorable military position in the fight.
November 10th: El Grito de La Villa de Los Santos
Spain ruled Panama through the Viceroyalty of Peru for over 300 years. However, on November 10th, 1821, Rufina Alfaro led a rebellious uprising against Spanish soldiers in the Los Santos province, seizing their barracks without spilling a single drop of blood. This event is now known as El Primero Grito de Independencia de La Villa de Los Santos or the “First Cry of Independence from La Villa de Los Santos”. News of the uprising quickly spread to Panama City and ignited similar “gritos” throughout the country. Expecting a harsh reprisal from the Spanish Crown, the rebels allied with their neighbor, The Republic of Gran Colombia, which at that time encompassed what is modern-day Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and into areas of Peru and Brazil.
November 28th: Independence from Spain (1821)
After only 18 days of bloodless revolt, and through the co-opting of Spanish forces in Panama, José de Fábrega declared Panamanian independence from Spain, though simultaneously joining “The Republic of Gran Colombia” through the Independence Act of Panama. For 82 years Panama would remain part of this regional confederation, until 1903 when the United States, after years of support of separatist movements inside of Panama, assisted the nation in finally declaring its independence from Colombia.
Panamanian Independence Act of 1821
ORIGINAL SPANISH TEXT: Acta de Independencia del Istmo de Panamá de 1821
ENGLISH TRANSLATION: Panamanian Independence Act of 1821
In a general meeting of all civilian, military and ecclesiastical corporations held today 28 November 1821 at the invitation of the City Council, after more arrested discussions before a large village meeting and under the highest order and harmony were agreed and decreed by common agreement the following items:
1. Panama, spontaneously and under the general vote of the people of understanding, is declared free and independent of the Spanish government.
2. The territory of the provinces of the Isthmus belongs to the Republic of Gran Colombia, to whose Congress our deputy will promptly go to represent us.
3. Individuals of the troops garrisoned in this place have the absolute freedom to make the choice that suits them, and if they want to return to Spain, they will be provided all the necessary aid for transport to the island of Cuba; in keeping with the honors of war, those that will remain at the ports of Chagres or Portobelo, then shall make the garrisons the possessions of the new government; putting under obligation all the officers, sergeants and soldiers, under due oath, to remain calm, to not accept any bribes, nor to take up weapons against the independent states of America during the present war.
4. Spanish patients who are in hospital will be assisted by the government, and once they return to health will be presented with the necessary assistance in accordance with Article 3.
5. The Head of State of the Isthmus is stated to be Don José de Fábrega, who was a colonel with the Spanish armies; all corporations and authorities, civil and ecclesiastical shall be on the same footing that they are currently.
6. The Head of State shall take all economic measures that may be necessary for the preservation of the public peace.
7. The authorities will give at once the oath of independence, distinguishing next Sunday for its publication with due solemnity.
8. The Head of State, together with the commanders of the troops, will notify the fortress of Chagres and detachment of Portobelo so that the official who presents the orders delivers these points in military style.
9. The Isthmus, by means of its representatives, will form suitable economic regulations for its internal government; and in the meantime, they will govern according to the current laws in those parts that do not contradict the current state.
10. For necessary expenses, the political Head of State will create a loan to be recognized as part of the public debt.
11. The public debt is recognized by the Treasury and shall be paid under the covenants set forth in its principle.
12. The preceding chapters will be printed and circulated to all the peoples of the Isthmus to cease the disagreements agitating them; sending the help that this capital needs to carry out this glorious undertaking, as they have offered.
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