Category Archives: Intangible Cultural Heritage

Our Encounter at Corozal Cemetery

Posted on April 2, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Here we are, my Cousins, me and the ex-administrator strolling back down from Section M in Corozal Cemetery.

On Friday March 23, 2012 I decided to take my cousins on a promised visit to one of the cemeteries where the bones of their ancestors rest and which, by the way, now belongs to the three cemeteries protected by our Silver People Law.  The Law was newly passed by the National Assembly on March 1, 2012, so this would be a perfect time to visit Corozal Cemetery.  There rests our Uncles Eric J. Reid, Vincent (Vicente) Reid, my grandmother, Fanny Elizabeth M. Reid and several of my aunts on my maternal side.  We were met with a surprise visitor. Continue reading →

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Posted in Intangible Cultural Heritage, Silver People of Panama

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The Issue of Exposure to Culture

Posted on March 22, 2012 by | Leave a comment

A classic Wurlitzer Juke Box of the kind you could find in the cantinas. Image: wikipedia.com

Living and growing up in the Panama of our times was always a total paradox. As someone said about being in such a state and trying to get untangled, “To manage a paradox you need to live with it as well as analyze it.” That is what I have being trying to do thus far along with chronicling how it has been with my people, as part of the Silver People of the Panama Canal Zone since its inception. Continue reading →

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Posted in Intangible Cultural Heritage, Jazz Musicians of Panama, Music of Panama

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The Silver People Law Has Passed Third Debate!

Posted on March 2, 2012 by | 5 Comments

The Law #348 to Declare our Silver Cemeteries National Historic and Cultural Patrimony in Panama’s National Assembly, was just passed into law yesterday March 1, 2012! Continue reading →

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Posted in Intangible Cultural Heritage, Silver People of Panama, West Indian Panamanians

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My Life Paraded in Front of Me

Posted on February 13, 2012 by | Leave a comment

El Cruce Building just before it was demolished in June 2009; in my youth it was all one-room rentals for Westindian families

San Ramon Building at the entrance of "M" Street.

The parade route had not left the Calidonia/Wachipali district as fast as we all anticipated, as the marching pace slowed down to a halt. As we stood there marking time we noticed how official functionaries were suddenly ahead of us. It seemed as though it had been planned that way, so that the large contingent of the National Police and Firemen or “red shirts” we all called the Bomberos, was now at rest in the midst of us school children on precisely this point on the parade route.  Continue reading →

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Posted in Calidonia, Instituto Nacional de Panamá, Intangible Cultural Heritage

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The Silver People Law – Join Us to Defend Our National Patrimony

Posted on January 20, 2012 by | 2 Comments

Image: One of the helpful functionaries at Participación Ciudadana explaining to me the series of steps our Proyecto de Ley would go through.

Our Bill or Proyecto de Ley #348 will be up for a very important debate next week and we are calling for people to support us with their presence.

This past Tuesday morning I was cited by the Asamblea Nacional de Panamá Permanent Commission to appear on next Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 at 10 A.M at the Budget Commission (Comisión de Presupuesto) to make a presentation defending our projected Law# 348 (Proyecto de Ley #348) Declaring Patrimonio Histórico the 3 cemeteries on the Banks of the Panama Canal and Black Canal Zone, Corozal (Silver), Gatún, Mount Hope (Monte Esperanza) in Colon. Continue reading →

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Posted in Intangible Cultural Heritage, West Indian Panamanians

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The Silver People Law- We Are Closer to Victory

Posted on August 4, 2011 by | 12 Comments

The Honorable Legislators who make up the Comission on Culture, Education and Sports.

This is me in only my preliminary arguments for our Silver People Law.

The Press, of course, insisted on an interview.

Our joy and sense of satisfaction received a giant boost this past Tuesday, August 2, 2011 when we answered a citation of the Permanent Commission on Education and Culture of the Asamblea Nacional de Panamá prepared to make our presentation in 1st Debate. Continue reading →

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Posted in Intangible Cultural Heritage, Silver People of Panama, West Indian Panamanians

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