Panama’s National Month: History Through Nature

Our homeland is in our flag, our traditions, our music, and our cuisine. But it’s also in the rivers, forests, seas, and mangroves that surround us. Because nature is not only part of our territory, it’s also part of our identity.

Every November, Panama celebrates its National Holidays, an opportunity to remember its history and recognize what makes the country unique. And among all those symbols, there is a heritage that often goes unnoticed in these celebrations, and that is…the extraordinary biodiversity that has accompanied Panamanian communities for centuries.

Birds are also part of our history

Did you know that over a thousand years ago birds already held an important place in Panama’s cultural expressions? Among the archaeological findings of The Caño, in CocléPre-Hispanic gold pieces with representations of birds are found, evidence of their presence in the symbolic universe of the societies that inhabited the territory between the 8th and 11th centuries.

Today, a thousand years later, species like the brown pelican (Western Pelican) continue to be part of the Panamanian landscape and natural heritage. This bird, emblematic of the Chiriquí coast, finds spaces to rest and feed in the mangroves, while these ecosystems also offer refuge to numerous species of birds, fish, turtles, and other animals.

The birds that are part of our history need living ecosystems to continue being part of our future.

The Mangroves of Chiriquí: a heritage that deserves protection

In the province of Chiriquí there is approximately the 25% of Panama’s mangroves, a fundamental natural heritage for biodiversity, coastal protection and the lives of communities.

The David’s Mangroves, in the Gulf of Chiriquí, they form part of that wealth. However, they face environmental concerns related to the project.Puerto Barú, which includes dredging works and port infrastructure whose potential impacts have been questioned in scientific reports.

In a country that recognizes the Rights of Nature through Law 287, protecting these ecosystems also means defending an essential part of their identity and heritage. Because patriotism is not only about celebrating what we have inherited. It is also about committing to what we want to leave for future generations.

Being patriotic also means defending our nature.

From pre-Hispanic symbols to the birds that fly over our coasts today, nature has been present in the history of Panama.

And that story continues to be written with more than 32,800 people who have added their voices to the petition to protect the Mangroves of Chiriquí, demonstrating that the defense of natural heritage is also an expression of identity and civic commitment.

In these celebrations, let us give space to what unites us: our traditions, our culture, and the ecosystems that make Panama unique.

Because our mangroves deserve as much pride as our flag.
The land that unites us deserves to be defended.

Let’s show our patriotism by defending our nature! 🇵🇦💚

Sign the petition and join the defense of the David Mangroves.

#DefendTheMangroves #NoToPuertoBarú #PanamaNationalHolidays #RightsOfNature