Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Darién Province Highlights
Search for capybara while exploring the lush jungle reserve of Reserva Natural
Punta Patiño ( Click here ) on the edge of Golfo de San Miguel
Hike along the spectacular jungle trails surrounding Rancho Frío ( Click here ), a
ranger station on the edge of Parque Nacional Darién
Look for harpy eagles and interact with the Emberá around Mogué ( Click here ),
a traditional village by the Río Mogué
Enjoy excursions into indigenous communities and the dreamy savannah-like set-
ting of ecolodge Filo de Tallo ( Click here )
Go for a world record at the Tropic Star Lodge ( Click here ), a remote fishing
lodge that's the site of some of the world's largest catches
History
Living within the boundaries of the Darién, the group commonly known as the Chocóes
emigrated from Colombia's Chocó region long ago. Anthropologists use two linguistic
groups - the Emberá and the Wounaan - though, with the exception of language, the
groups' cultural features are virtually identical. Both groups prefer to be thought of as
two separate peoples.
Before the introduction of guns, the Emberá and Wounaan were experts with the boro-
quera (blowgun), using envenomed darts with lethal toxins from poisonous frogs and
bullet ants. Many scholars believe that they forced the Kuna out of the Darién and into
the Caribbean coastal area they now inhabit.
The Emberá and Wounaan are known for their incredibly fine dugout canoes. Known
as piraguas, their shallow bottoms are ideal for dry season when rivers run low. The
Panama Canal Authority has long employed Emberá and Wounaan craftsmen to make
the piraguas which are used by officials to reach upper parts of the canal's watershed.
Until the late 1990s, the US Air Force solicited the Emberá and Wounaan for help with
jungle living. Many of them trained US astronauts and air-force pilots at Fuerte Sherman,
near Colón, in tropical wilderness survival.
Today, the majority of the 8000 Emberá and Wounaan in Panama live deep in the rain-
forests of the Darién, particularly along the Ríos Sambú, Jaqué, Chico, Tuquesa, Mem-
brillo, Tuira, Yapé and Tucutí.
Culture
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