Emberá Drúa, Indigenous hamlet in Caimitillo, Panama
Emberá Drúa is an indigenous hamlet situated along a river deep within Panama's rainforest, where residents live in traditional wooden houses built on stilts above the ground. The elevated construction helps protect homes from seasonal flooding and keeps them connected to the water that shapes daily life.
The Emberá people have maintained their ancestral traditions across generations, continuing practices from pre-colonial times within the tropical forests of Central America. This continuity shows in their craftsmanship and in how the community sustains its relationship with the natural world.
Residents make detailed handicrafts from natural materials, including woven baskets from palm fibers and body decorations using jagua fruit pigments. These items are woven into daily life and show how deeply the community connects with its surroundings.
The hamlet is best reached by canoe, with travel from Corotú Port taking around 45 minutes. Wear light, breathable clothing and bring water-resistant gear to stay comfortable in the humid rainforest environment.
The community uses traditional fishing methods with hand-carved canoes and plant extracts that temporarily stun fish without causing harm. This approach allows for fishing that feeds families while leaving the river ecosystem largely unaffected.
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