Raices Santennas

Cultural performance from Panama

An NCPA, Consulate General of Panama in Mumbai and Indian Council for Cultural Relations Presentation

Raices Santeñas is a folk group born from descendants of the province of Los Santos, the cradle of Panamanian folklore. They represent through their different dances, various regions, traditions, and ethnic groups of Panama. Raices Santeñas celebrate with their colourful attires, contagious rhythms, and joyful passion of the great cultural diversity of Panama.

The program will feature various dances and solo violin presentations of the songs of composers from Panama, the dances are :

Baile Congo (“Congo” Dance) – The “Congo” dance originated as a way of expression from the Caribbean side of Panama inherited by African descendants brought as slaves by the Spanish conquerors. They would gather as a community to make their own dances and music to express their feelings. This group brings with it its own cultural traits: rhythms, cadences, and above all their unique identity.

Diablico Espejo (Mirror Attire Devil) – The devil figure was used during the Spanish conquest to represent evil, which caused terror among its spectators. Over time, the shine off their clothes was changed to mirrors to give them a sparkling effect, and here is the origin of its name.

Baile el Bunde (“Bunde” Dance) – It is a religious representational dance, originated from the jungle part of Darién in the Pacific borders. This dance is specially performed for several days (at night) during the Christmas season.

Cumbia Darienita (Cumbia from Darién) – Characterized by sensual and picaresque movements, it is danced in a circle and the woman is the main protagonist of the dance.

Diablico Sucio (Dirty Devil) – This dance can be considered one of the oldest traditions in the celebrations of Corpus Christi Festival in the region of “Los Santos”.

Bailes y Tambores de Faena (Task Dances with drums) – This is a series of dances from the North side of the Province of Coclé named “Cumbia Pajonaleña” consisting of joyful drums.

La Espina (The Thorn) – The thorn is a folkloric dance where the lady, dancing very gracefully, is courted by two gentlemen. During its execution, there is a duel between these two gallants for the attention of the beautiful lady, where each of them presents his best execution of stomping, moving, and flirting.

Cumbia Chorrerana (Cumbia from La Chorrera) – This dance of African origin and sensual rhythm is accompanied by an accordion and is very well knowns for its lighted candles displayed by the dancing couples on their performance.

Danesa Petita – Type of ballroom dance native to the town of Tonosí in southern Panama.

Cumbia Viva Panama (Long Live Panama! Cumbia) – It is the most expressive of the Panama traditional dances, the initiation requires a loud resounding of drums, shouting expressions, and voices of encouragement from the men.

El Punto – Punto is a dance and musical genre indigenous to Panama. It is a dance for a single couple who shines with elegance, gala, and grace.

Atravesado – It is a cumbia with a cheerful and fast rhythm. Consisting of a festive nature and free movements. It is carried out under four figures: walking, short followings, crossing, and stomping.

Violin Solo – ‘This is how we dance in my land” (Composer Dorindo Cardenas)
Pasillo Maria Elida
Gallo Canelo Danzonete (Composer : Jose Miguel Leguizamo)

Limited number of admission passes can be collected from the box office from February 23, 2023 onwards.