Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Calle Segundo Villareal. He specializes in devil masks for the famous
baile de los di-
ablos sucios
(dance of the dirty devils).
Masks are sold to professional dancers or international collectors. Several are on dis-
play at the ATP office. Look for the house with a black front door and a sign featuring his
family name (De Leon) nearby. Carlos speaks Spanish only.
Festivals & Events
Other notable festivals include Carnaval, celebrated four days before Ash Wednesday
(February/March), and April's Semana Santa.
Fiesta de Corpus Christi
RELIGIOUS
(Body of Christ Festival)
Forty days after Easter in Villa de Los Santos. The Fiesta de Cor-
pus Christi is Los Santos' biggest festival.
La Grita de la Villa
HISTORY
(Cry of the Village)
The anniversary of the historic
grito
(cry) of independence, also known
as La Grita de la Villa, is celebrated in Los Santos on November 10. This patriotic occa-
sion is usually overseen by the president of Panama and is highlighted by a parade, mu-
sical and dance performances and a healthy amount of drinking in the streets.
Feria de Azuero
FAIR
(Azuero Fair)
This fair features folkloric dancing, agricultural attractions and various com-
petitions among local singers performing regional songs. Held late April or early May.
FIESTA DE CORPUS CHRISTI
One of the most riotous events in the country, Fiesta de Corpus Christi has been
celebrated ever since Pope Urban IV sanctioned the event in 1264. Yet the local ver-
sion coolly incorporates animistic traditions passed down from generation to gen-
eration in the Península de Azuero.
As a means of converting the indigenous peoples of the region, Spanish mission-
aries used the festival to highlight the concept of good versus evil. At the core of
the festival is a series of dances including the famousbaile de los diablos sucios
(dance of the dirty devils), which emphasizes the Christian belief in the Apoca-
lypse.
Though God, heaven and the angels win out in the end, it doesn't prevent local
artisans from creating some truly mind-blowing masks and costumes. Held from
