The Fascinating Embera Tribe of Panama: A Cruise Excursion to Remember

The Excursion – Our Experience

I recently had the opportunity to visit an Embera village outside of Panama City during our Panama Canal cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line, and it was an unforgettable experience. The excursion began with an exhilarating motorized dugout ride up the Chagres River surrounded by lush jungle vegetation. Life jackets were required. The ride lasted about fifteen minutes and was a lot of fun, not to mention beautiful.

As we approached the village, we could see the thatched roofs of the houses peeking through the trees. It was like going back in time.

Upon arriving at the village, we were greeted by a pair of Embera men playing a drum and flute. The simple beat accompanied us as we met the rest of the village.

Dressed in their traditional clothing, which consisted of brightly colored skirts and brief tops for the women and loincloths for the men, the people welcomed us warmly. The women also wore intricate coin necklaces and flowers in their hair.

The Embera people then allowed us to explore part of their village, which includes a tiny museum. There’s also a small building with modern restrooms, which was a welcome sight for most in our group.

It was a hot day in January, and once everyone had used the facilities and explored a little, we gathered in their largest hut, which is used as a community center. There, we learned about the history of the Embera people in their language, translated by our guide.

Afterward, we were treated to a traditional Embera lunch of freshly caught fish and plantains, which were served in large leaves, and fruits such as bananas and watermelon. The food was delicious, and the Embera were proud to share it with us.

One of the highlights of the excursion was a cultural performance by the women of the tribe. They performed traditional monkey and turkey dances to music created by drums and flutes. It was a mesmerizing experience, and it was clear that their music and dance are an integral part of their cultural identity.

Throughout our visit, we had the opportunity to interact with the Embera people, to ask them questions and to learn about their way of life. I smiled as I watched young girls entertain themselves with traditional games like patty-cake and keep-away, simple games I’d played as a child and forgotten about. It was so different from the way children in our culture entertain themselves today.

Chickens roamed free in the village, a throwback to a simpler time. All the children, boys and girls alike, only wore skirts or shorts made of brightly colored cloth. Until more modern times, the women also only wore skirts, but have adjusted to wearing brief tops to accommodate visitors’ cultural mores.

At the end of the visit, the community center was transformed into a marketplace, where we had the opportunity to purchase crafts handmade by the tribe members. Their beautiful handiwork included masks, carved wooden animals, flutes, beaded items, and beautiful woven plates, vases, and baskets. Proceeds help the tribe to purchase food staples and school uniforms for the children.

I sat and watched for a while, amused at the children who posed for pictures with visitors and then would hold out a hand for a dollar. Money in hand, they would run quickly to their mother, then return to charm another visitor. If someone took a picture and refused to tip, the child would cross their arms and put on the most adorable pout. Who could refuse that?

When our time was up, we reluctantly boarded the dugout canoes again and took the ride up the river back to the bus. It was a lovely visit, one we would long remember.

Booking the Excursion

If you’re cruising to Panama City and would like to take an excursion to the Embera tribe’s village, you can either book an excursion through your cruise ship, like we did, or use a third party.

Booking Through Your Cruise Ship

We sailed on Norwegian and booked our excursion, Authentic Embera Indian Village, through them. The tour lasted 6-1/2 hours and cost $119 per person. With Norwegian’s Free at Sea offer, we received a $50 discount, and we also received a small additional discount for our loyalty tier with Norwegian’s Latitudes program.

Booking Through A Third Party

You can book through a third party, and I highly recommend Viator. We’ve used them before for excursions and been happy with them. Different variations and durations of the tour are offered through third parties like Viator.

Final Thoughts On The Embera Tribe of Panama

Overall, the excursion to the Embera tribe in Panama was a truly unique and enriching experience. It was a chance to learn about a culture that is very different from our own and to gain a deeper appreciation for the rich diversity of the world we live in. I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Panama who is interested in learning about indigenous cultures.

Happy cruising!