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 The Ngöbe-Buglé Ethnic Group is the largest in Panama, also known as Guaymíes and occupy a territory of the mountainous region of the provinces of Chiriquí and Veraguas in addition to parts of an area in the province of Bocas del Toro. In 1997, the Ngöbe-Buglé Region was created and makes up part of the territory where they currently inhabit. This ethnic community is subjected to a special political and legal regime, regulated by the Organic Charter. Ngöbe-Buglé is sub-divided into two groups by the language. They have little or no domain of the Spanish language.
The Ngöbe people, constitute the largest sub group, occupy territory of the province of Bocas del Toro and in four districts of the province of Chiriquí: Tolé, Remedios, San Félix and San Lorenzo. Their alphabet has 26 letters, 8 vowels and 18 consonants.
The Buglés, is the less populated sub group, they lie mainly in the province of Veraguas and in the bordering area between Veraguas and Bocas del Toro. The Buglés is made up by 25 letters, 5 vowels and 20 consonants.
This ethnic community is dedicated mainly to agriculture. All of the members of this social group has the right to use the land, according to their traditional patterns. Many of them work in plantain fields, sugar cane and coffee plantations in the region. The women´s wardrope is made up of a colorful wide blouse with geometric applications in the area of the breast and sleeves. Men´s clothing is the same as others in the city. This ethnic group is well known for the confection of “Chacaras”, bags made of fiber and coloring; the same as “chaquiras”, geometric necklaces made of shells and bones. |
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