November in Panama, the month of many holidays

After I arrived in Panama, the closer I got to November, the more people around me started making knowing comments about what a busy/crazy month it would be.  For example, a Bible study group that meets roughly every two weeks was planning ahead and said, "Okay, so we'll meet October 21 and then . . . oh, and then it's November" -- and everyone in the room shook their heads and laughed.

Part of a November parade in the Ciudad del Saber.

So, what's the big deal about November?  It's a combination of two things: one is that Panama has become its own country twice: declaring independence from Spain in 1821 and separating from Colombia in 1903.  The other aspect is that Panama is kind of stretched out, and historically news travelled bit-by-bit through the country, so in addition to the National holidays, there are multiple celebrations that are province-specific.  

Here are the National holidays, with descriptions below:

• November 2: All Saint's Day
• November 3: Separation Day (from Colombia)
• November 4: National Symbols Day
• November 5: Colon Day
• November 10:  Shout in Villa de los Santos
• November 28:  Independence Day (from Spain)

Aside: I don't know what Thanksgiving will be like here.  November is a month of many, many holidays in Panama, but Thanksgiving hasn't popped up in any of the conversations I've had, even among U.S. ex-pats living here.  We'll see!

As I start writing this post (on November 4), I'm in the midst of long weekend.  The offices at Ciudad del Saber are closed until Wednesday (November 6); church yesterday was incredibly colorful with lots of Panama-themed decorations but also very empty because many people celebrate by traveling "to the interior", and I've gotten to see some lovely dancing and celebrations already.

On Friday, November 1, there was a Pollera (traditional dance)
festival just outside the building near mine.

The woman in the center isn't in traditional dress; 
the woman and man on the right are. 

***

November 2: All Saint's Day
People visit cemeteries and place flowers on the graves of people they love who've passed away.

At the nearby American cemetery,
tombstones are decorated with American and Panamanian flags.

Some also have flowers.

November 3: Separation Day (from Colombia) 

The U.S. provided covert support to Panamanian separatists, assisting in their bid for independence from Colombia. On November 3, 1903, Panama officially declared its independence and established itself as a sovereign nation. Panama's independence day, celebrated every November 3, is a vibrant and joyous occasion filled with parades, music, dance, and cultural events. The entire nation comes together to commemorate this pivotal moment in history and express their love for their country.

Children in traditional clothes performing traditional dances,

in the atrium of the BioMuseo. 

These kids were really good!

November 4: National Symbols Day
This day celebrates (a) the flag, (b) the shield, and (c) the national anthem.  Panamanians celebrate this day every November 4th, the day after Panama declared its independence. On November 1, 1903, Maria Ossa de Amador secretly began making the first Panamanian flag. She constructed three flags based on three different designs, one of which was later adopted as the official flag of Panama. All three flags were flown on November 3, 1903, when Panama declared its independence.

The hill leading up to the Ciudad del Saber
is covered in hundreds of flags

It's so amazing standing on this hill. 
Here's looking in one direction, with flags as far as the eye can see . . . 

. . . and here's the other direction,
more flags heading into the distance.

You could look the shield and song up on the internet; I'd have to do that, too, because I didn't see hear either of these myself. (Here's the embassy page, in fact.) But the flag?  The flag was (and still is) everywhere.  

November 5: Colon Day. 
Panama declared its separation from Colombia; they did so from a place in Panama City, on the Pacific (south) side of the country, on November 3.  Colombia understandably wanted to get Panama back. The citizens of Colón convinced the Colombian forces stationed in Colón not to advance on Panama City. This action prevented the Colombians from gaining a military advantage and quelling the independence movement, and November 5 celebrates this contribution to the separation. 

November 10:  Shout in Villa de los Santos
On November 10th, Panama remembers its Primer Grito de Independencia – its first cry for independence from Spain. On November 10, 1821, preceding the formal Independence, villagers in the town of la Villa de Los Santos (a small town in the interior of Panama) wrote a letter to Simon Bolivar. The letter complained about the Spanish governor and asked Bolivar for revolutionary assistance.

November 28:  Independence Day (from Spain)
On November 28th, Panamanians celebrate their independence from Spain. On November 28, 1821, eighteen days after Primer Grito de Independencia, Panamanians took the first step towards this sought-after independence. In an open town meeting Panama was declared a sovereign entity and was freed from the control of the Spanish Monarchy, deciding to join Gran Colombia.

I just realized that Panama's Independence Day will be the same as the U.S. Thanksgiving day this year; you can bet I'll be thinking of my friends and family back home!