Embera Indian Village & Water Rappelling Trip

In July we invited Danielle's best friend David to visit the Embera Indian Village and go water rappelling with us. There are three villages along the Chagres River in the protected National Forest. These people depend on tourism to survive now, selling their beautiful handcrafted items, giving tours of their villages, and providing our transportation on the river by piraguas, their hollowed out canoes. Yes, that's a modern engine on the back of the canoe.

On arrival, we were greeted by many smiling faces at the Embera Village, where about 50 people live. The men fish and raise a few crops, but the heavy rains make it difficult to farm next to the river.

The Embera Indians are one of 7 native peoples residing in Panama. They emigrated from Columbia in the late 18th century, hunting and fishing to survive. In order to live in the national rain forest on government lands, they must send their children to school (in uniforms) and learn Spanish. It's described as a mandated educational exchange program where they learn Western culture, and in exchange, we learn theirs. It's a pretty neat idea.

The children are beautiful, dark and bright-eyed. Dogs and cats run free as well.

Huts are built 10 feet off the ground to prevent snakes, bugs and wild animals from coming in. All 4 sides are open, with no walls or partitions or privacy. The bathroom is a shared outhouse.

Girls wear colorful skirts, boys only loincloths.

Danielle and Ricky are chosen from the visitors to dance with the Indians.

We were served pineapple, then delicious fried tilapia and fried plantain chips for lunch.

Indoor kitchens create smoke from cooking fires that provide natural insect repellent.

Traditional colorful dress

Welcoming committee

Handcrafts are a primary source of income

We traveled by canoe quite a distance up the river and hiked to reach the waterfall where we had our first rappelling lesson. Below Danielle, David and Ricky gear-up.

Danielle with our guide.