(EyeonPanama) The Kuna people of the San Blas islands are one of Panama’s seven indigenous tribes. All of Panama’s native populations face the pueblo brain drain dilemma. Their best and brightest migrate to Panama City in search of opportunity.
Hopeful native migrants arrive in Panama City energized with ambition but equipped with minimal education and few employable skills. As a result, Panama’s indigenous are limited to working the longest hours for the least amount of pay. Their employment is limited to dead end jobs, i.e. – kitchen hands, maintenance men, cleaning ladies, or street vendors selling crafts to tourists. Indigenous people are regarded by many as Panama’s hardest working people. Yet, upward social and economical mobility for these industrious natives does not exist in rapidly expanding Panama City.
Panama’s indigenous lose touch with their unique heritage when they migrate. Since the indigenous natives are commonly regarded as being the lowest rung on Panama’s rigid social/economic class totem pole. Both native children and adults shy away from displaying cultural customs. They avoid speaking their native tongue in public because of the open prejudice practiced by non-indigenous Panamanians. Sad but true. Timeless native traditions are tragically being forever lost because of the cultural insensitivity of a still rigid class system.
There is real hope that the Kuna’s of Panama may be able to create economic opportunity for their people. Unlike other native tribes in Panama, the Kuna’s have a strategic advantage that has both the promise of considerable economic fortune and preservation of their endangered heritage. The Kuna own the San Blas Islands which literally ooze with tourism potential. In real terms, it is the equivalent to owning Boardwalk or Park Place in Panama’s version of Monopoly.
The San Blas Islands consist of approximately 365 tiny, soft white sand beach, and palm tree filled islands surrounded by the aqua colored and crystal clear Caribbean Sea. It is one of nature’s most beautiful and pristine tropical island paradises. It has the potential to provide tourists with an experience that feels like both joining a National Geographic Expedition and being stranded with the Swiss Family Robinson on a deserted island. No other destination in Latin America can compare.
The San Blas Islands can become a travel destination of international magnitude. This would be an economic cash cow for the Kuna people. Few other native tribes in the world enjoy this opportunity. Tourism may be the Kuna’s last best opportunity to preserve their cultural identity.
The goals of developing a local tourism industry and preserving or promoting cultural traditions are too often mutually exclusive. “Sustainable” development is typically an academic term with little practical usage. For the Kuna people “Sustainable” tourism development would still consist of the traditional development concept; growing the local economy, educating their people to a high level, and improving the quality of health for all. However, for the Kuna protecting and promoting their culture can also be a driver of economic development.
The maintaining authenticity model is more than possible, it’s profitable. Panama tourism experts Casey Halloran and Matt Landau have published articles on the topic. A boutique scale, Kuna owned, environmental conscious, lodging coupled with a well thought out promotion of the “Kuna way” could provide a unique experience that is not only more cultural sensitive but a better long term investment for the Kuna people.
Profits from this sustainable tourism model should be funneled back to support education, health, preservation, and other community projects that will greatly improve Kuna’s quality of life. It will also allow them to showcase their cultural heritage as part of the uniqueness of the tourist’s experience. One of Panama’s best.
The benefits of this community system would be multiple. First, it would mitigate the Kuna’s brain drain problem by providing exciting and diverse opportunities to their best and brightest.
Secondly, properly harnessed tourism dollars could provide a consistent source of revenue more reliable than government subsidies and international aid. Indeed this could provide powerful incentives for the Kuna to enhance the education of their youth and encourage the further development of workforce skills.
Finally, if the fruits of tourism were widely spread throughout the entire community, it would galvanize the Kuna community to ensure that their cultural heritage was proudly preserved resulting in a more united communities. Pride is a powerful force both culturally and economically. Self-esteem is necessary to individual success. A properly developed tourism industry may provide both for the Kuna people.