Kuna Grandma, a Baby, and a Cat
This is a remastered photo from a film photo scan.
When I met my first Guna while kayaking among the San Blas Islands of Panama, they were called ...
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This is a remastered photo from a film photo scan.
When I met my first Guna while kayaking among the San Blas Islands of Panama, they were called the Kuna. After an orthographic reform in 2010, they changed their name to Guna. They are indigenous people of Panama and Colombia. They live as they've lived for hundreds of years, as you see this Kuna Grandma living. They primarily live among the 365+ San Blas Islands off the Atlantic coast of Panama. They are autonomous, governing themselves. Crime is rare among the Guna. It just isn't allowed. Period. In Guna Yala, each community has its own political organization, led by a saila. The saila is traditionally both the political and spiritual leader of the community; he memorizes songs which relate the sacred history of the people, and in turn transmits them to the people. We had the privilege of sitting in on one of the congresses as the elders told stories and recited laws through song. Often the group of elders in congress would be lying in hammocks for the services.
The economy of Kuna Yala is based on agriculture, fishing and the manufacture of clothing with a long tradition of international trade. Plantains, coconuts, and fish form the core of the Guna diet, supplemented with imported foods, a few domestic animals, and wild game. Coconuts and lobsters are the most important export products. Migrant labor and the sale of molas provide other sources of income.
I was a member of a crew kayaking among the 365+ San Blas Islands, camping on a different island each night. Because the islands belong to the Guna, we had to have the chief's permission to camp on the non-populated islands. Often the unpopulated islands are farmed for the coconuts so we had to be careful where we pitched our tents. A coconut falling on your head as you lounge outside your tent could ruin your day. We had gotten permission to visit on a couple of the islands where we could buy a cold beer. That was heaven since we never had anything cold camping.... we also bought fresh vegetables for the camp. And see that wrapping on the lady's legs? Yep, a couple of us girls just had to have them put on us. Cool. We were also invited to take a wild trip on one of their homemade sailboats. Each person had to relatively constantly dip water out of the hull with a scoop made from a plastic jug. This wasn't just for us for fun. It was necessary to keep the boat from sinking from the steady water that leaked in. I told you it was homemade, didn't I?
And, get this y'all ladies, traditionally, Guna families are matrilinear, with the groom moving to become part of the bride's family. The groom takes the last name of the bride as well. If that's what we did, my husband and I might have the same name, since I didn't take his..
Dulegaya is the primary language of daily life. I could speak my Spanglish and get by on the Panama mainland. It was useless with the Guna. Money made good language, tho. Remember that beer?
I took several pictures of the people, after permission and the promise to send them the photos. I did that by courier..our guide on the trip. It was a privilege to meet these people They lead a very simple and primitive life and work hard but they seem happy and content with their life. They depend on the elders to lead them and keep them safe. It works.
Copyright Notice: All images on this web site are protected by the U.S. and international copyright laws, all rights reserved. The images may not be copied, reproduced, manipulated or used in any way, without written permission of Kay Brewer, Artist, and Kay Brewer Photographs, a licensed business. Any unauthorized usage will be prosecuted to the full extent of U.S. Copyright Law.
Available for print without watermark:
KayBrewerPhotographs.com
PhotographsByKayBrewer.com
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When I met my first Guna while kayaking among the San Blas Islands of Panama, they were called the Kuna. After an orthographic reform in 2010, they changed their name to Guna. They are indigenous people of Panama and Colombia. They live as they've lived for hundreds of years, as you see this Kuna Grandma living. They primarily live among the 365+ San Blas Islands off the Atlantic coast of Panama. They are autonomous, governing themselves. Crime is rare among the Guna. It just isn't allowed. Period. In Guna Yala, each community has its own political organization, led by a saila. The saila is traditionally both the political and spiritual leader of the community; he memorizes songs which relate the sacred history of the people, and in turn transmits them to the people. We had the privilege of sitting in on one of the congresses as the elders told stories and recited laws through song. Often the group of elders in congress would be lying in hammocks for the services.
The economy of Kuna Yala is based on agriculture, fishing and the manufacture of clothing with a long tradition of international trade. Plantains, coconuts, and fish form the core of the Guna diet, supplemented with imported foods, a few domestic animals, and wild game. Coconuts and lobsters are the most important export products. Migrant labor and the sale of molas provide other sources of income.
I was a member of a crew kayaking among the 365+ San Blas Islands, camping on a different island each night. Because the islands belong to the Guna, we had to have the chief's permission to camp on the non-populated islands. Often the unpopulated islands are farmed for the coconuts so we had to be careful where we pitched our tents. A coconut falling on your head as you lounge outside your tent could ruin your day. We had gotten permission to visit on a couple of the islands where we could buy a cold beer. That was heaven since we never had anything cold camping.... we also bought fresh vegetables for the camp. And see that wrapping on the lady's legs? Yep, a couple of us girls just had to have them put on us. Cool. We were also invited to take a wild trip on one of their homemade sailboats. Each person had to relatively constantly dip water out of the hull with a scoop made from a plastic jug. This wasn't just for us for fun. It was necessary to keep the boat from sinking from the steady water that leaked in. I told you it was homemade, didn't I?
And, get this y'all ladies, traditionally, Guna families are matrilinear, with the groom moving to become part of the bride's family. The groom takes the last name of the bride as well. If that's what we did, my husband and I might have the same name, since I didn't take his..
Dulegaya is the primary language of daily life. I could speak my Spanglish and get by on the Panama mainland. It was useless with the Guna. Money made good language, tho. Remember that beer?
I took several pictures of the people, after permission and the promise to send them the photos. I did that by courier..our guide on the trip. It was a privilege to meet these people They lead a very simple and primitive life and work hard but they seem happy and content with their life. They depend on the elders to lead them and keep them safe. It works.
Copyright Notice: All images on this web site are protected by the U.S. and international copyright laws, all rights reserved. The images may not be copied, reproduced, manipulated or used in any way, without written permission of Kay Brewer, Artist, and Kay Brewer Photographs, a licensed business. Any unauthorized usage will be prosecuted to the full extent of U.S. Copyright Law.
Available for print without watermark:
KayBrewerPhotographs.com
PhotographsByKayBrewer.com
Read less
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Flosno
January 28, 2016
Wonderful image and a real example of how the "story line" gives meaning to the image....thanks for sharing
PRO
Elyzabeth
January 29, 2016
Such a rich photo. From the beautiful expression on her face to the clothes and embellishments she is wearing.
Platinum
lizziemellis
January 29, 2016
Amazing colourful image...tells a story great piece of photo journalism:-)
NatureLoverJJWal
February 04, 2016
Wow, we seldom see them anymore, as "civilization" arrived, they were pushed in the margin where there is much difficulty in living. Not knowing and certainly forgotten that they are original owners of the land. Great story and awakening!
PRO+
BrianBasson
February 12, 2016
This grandma has had a very hard life - something that we can't even imagine anymore.
PRO+
PRO+
kathymuhle
February 15, 2016
Beautiful portrait and the photo description is like so interesting! Voted
Platinum
Platinum
NatureLoverJJWal
February 20, 2016
In other countries, old people are very useful in the family activities. They don't really travel that much but they give love and care for the family. Close to each other and model the the new generation of the family. Oh, how i miss my parents and grand parents until the last breath they have they showed love to me. Voted children and animals!
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