In this excerpt, Molinar explains the “pujido,” a sound that the devils within the Congo tradition of Panama make that is a part of their embodiment of the character. The literal translation of the word is “grunt,” but the effect is more than that. The sound amplifies internal energy and is done in response to both internal desires and external stimuli.
In this excerpt, Jiménez discusses how he began to play the role of the Major Devil character in the Congo tradition of Portobelo, Panama when Carlos Chavarria took a sabbatical from the role to study abroad in Russia.
In this excerpt, Solís discusses the enchantment she felt the first time that she witnessed Celedonio Molinar performing the role of Major Devil, the baptism of the devils, and how she learned about the performance traditions of Portobelo, Panama.
In this excerpt, Jiménez discusses the significance of the devil character to the Congo tradition of Panama and his perspective on playing the Major Devil character.
In this brief excerpt, Esquina discusses the significance of the Congo game and Congo dance including how prominently performing as a primary singer has figured into her life.
In this excerpt, Esquina discusses her pride for the Congo tradition and its importance to the towns of Panama’s upper coast.
In this brief excerpt, Esquina describes the ways in which Congo season begins in Panama on the feast day of San Sebastian with the raising of the Congo flag.
In this excerpt, Esquina discusses the changes she has seen in the Congo tradition over the course of her lifetime. Specifically, she talks about the role that a character named “Mama Guardia” once played.
In this excerpt, Esquina discusses the changes she has seen in the Congo tradition over the course of her lifetime. Specifically, she talks about the role that Pajarito, the Little Bird, once played in the Congo game, and the ways in which the character and the game have shifted. The construction of the road signaled the end of the game as one between neighboring Congo Kingdoms who competed to capture each others’ palacio/palenque. The contemporary game is between the discrete Congo communities and the character of the devil.
In this excerpt, Esquina discusses the meaning and significance of the Congo tradition to Portobelo.