The idea behind the project of the mock village called Mi Pueblito (my little town) in Panama City was to preserve and present to visitors three cultures that formed modern Panama: Afro-Caribbean, the Spanish colonial and indigenous groups. It sounds great, but a visit here is a disappointment. The indigenous part is closed because the neglected village dwellings collapsed. The other two parts are not exciting either. Everthing is clearly artificial and lack the spirit of a bygone era.
We did not like Mi Pueblito, but the positive aspect of our visit here was getting to know Panamanian pollera. It is a traditional women's dress that has its roots in the skirts worn during the Spanish colonial times. In Panama, polleras are hand sewn and contain decorations embroidered in several steps to achieve the desired effect. Traditional pollera can cost up to several thousand dollars and is worn only during special ceremonies.
