The Embera (Wounaan)
Farmers and Fishermen
Embera means "good man –friend- people", they are also known with numerous other names, principally "Chocó". The same is for the Waunana, who also goes by several names all mean "people ".
This ethnic group belong to two major groups: the Embirá, of upper Atrato and San Juan rivers (Colombia), and the Wuanana of the lower San Juan River (Colombia). Eight Emberá groups and the Wounaan live in the Colombian Chocó while other groups live in Panama, in the Darién Province at the border with Colombia.
This ethnic group belong to two major groups: the Embirá, of upper Atrato and San Juan rivers (Colombia), and the Wuanana of the lower San Juan River (Colombia). Eight Emberá groups and the Wounaan live in the Colombian Chocó while other groups live in Panama, in the Darién Province at the border with Colombia.
Snapshot
-
Region is South America
-
Climate here is Tropical
Life
The Emberá and Wounaan economy is based on cooperation between households. Fishing is done with nets, spears, arrows, traps, hooks and underwater spearfishing.
Nowadays, chickens and pigs have been introduced in villages households. They also gather fruits, nuts, roots, construction materials, weapons, dugouts, medicines, and ornaments from the forest. Because of the presence of rubber and gold, many today are commercialising these products in larger cities. Cultivated fields and fallow replaced Rainforest around the settlement areas.
Nowadays, chickens and pigs have been introduced in villages households. They also gather fruits, nuts, roots, construction materials, weapons, dugouts, medicines, and ornaments from the forest. Because of the presence of rubber and gold, many today are commercialising these products in larger cities. Cultivated fields and fallow replaced Rainforest around the settlement areas.
Home
The Embera traditional households were circular, with thatched-roof, built on pole structures and elevated around 1.5 meters or more above the ground to prevent flooding during the rainy season. Today, the households are smaller, with board floors and partially divided interiors and they usually host only one extended family. Villages have a school, a meeting hall, and a store and others have a church, as well as a health centre.
Culture
Social Structure
The Emberá use matrilineal descent and have their form of government and set of
unwritten rules. They don't rely on the Panamanian Police or the Panamanian or Colombian governments. The land is community-owned, and resources are often shared within the community.
unwritten rules. They don't rely on the Panamanian Police or the Panamanian or Colombian governments. The land is community-owned, and resources are often shared within the community.
Religion
At this time, numerous religious groups, mainly Christians, are present in the Darien. Churches are becoming more tolerant of indigenous traditions to gain more followers, since many villages are trying to revive their traditional beliefs in the past years.
Traditions
Women generally wear a skirt called Uhua, made with palm fibres. They also wear intricate necklaces of plastic beads and ornamental necklaces made with coins passed from mother to daughter and colour their faces with achiote. Men usually wear a thong that covers only the genitals, which is a comfortable clothing for the rainforest environment. The tribes are known for the use of Jagua from the genip tree, a fruit with a black pigment used to paint their skin that lasts around 10 days. The jagua body paint is still used for all celebrations and is one of the most important.
Language
They speak the Embera and Wounaan languages, both part of the Choco language family.
Art
Embera Wounaan women make colourful baskets from fibres and chunga palm or nahuala plant called "hosigdi". These are materials that can be easily found in the rainforest. The baskets are dyed naturally, and the designs can have
religious symbols or inspired by the forest's life.
religious symbols or inspired by the forest's life.
Celebrations
Main life changes, birth, becoming an adult, and death, are marked by special ceremonies. These are accompanied by music, dance, and the community drink large quantities of maise or sugarcane chicha. Men play the flutes and small drums while women dance and sing songs imitating the animals in the forest.
Further knowledge
The community often practice trash burning. Please be conscious of the amount of waste you are producing since it could contribute to the local marine and plastic land pollution!
Chagres River at Sunrise - Panama
iStock.com/BrianLasenby
"Embera indians" by pasujoba is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
Embera father and son
"Mujer Wounaan / Wounaan woman" by Ayaita is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
Native Embera Indian
iStock.com/Spanic
Village Square of the Embera People
iStock.com/alantobey
Chagres River at Sunrise - Panama
iStock.com/BrianLasenby
"Embera indians" by pasujoba is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
Embera father and son
"Mujer Wounaan / Wounaan woman" by Ayaita is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
Native Embera Indian
iStock.com/Spanic
Village Square of the Embera People
iStock.com/alantobey