The Parade of a Thousand Polleras.

What a parade! We watched for 4 hours and there was still more.

Las Tablas is the capital of Los Santos province in Panama with the city and surrounding area having a population of about 30,000. Every year Las Tablas hosts a parade celebrating the traditional dress (polleras) of Panamaians. This year the parade had more than 20,000 participants.

Generally the parades we have seen showcasing the traditional dresses have all the ladies wearing similar styles. They are absolutely stunning.

The parade in Las Tablas had many different colors and styles of dresses, most with the big pleated skirts. From what I have read, the skirt originally came from Spain in the 16th-17th century and gradually became integrated into the various Panamanian peoples.

The more money you had the fancier the dress and more expensive jewellry.

The dresses had a splash of different color in a pompom (I am sure it has a proper name) on both the front and back of the dress. Lots of ladies who wore hats had this same colored ribbon decorating it. And matchimg shoes.

There were people of every age taking part. The little kids were just as elaborately dressed as the big people.

Those dresses can be very costly, up to many thousands of dollars. They are all hand made and then embroidered or cross stiched (probably more techniques used but my sewing skills and terminology is lacking).

Every group in the parade also had men in traditional shirts. I think the groups are by town, but not sure. Each group had its own band. Most walked, some were on floats.

Some people wore incredibly intricate head pieces (tembleques).

Daryl read somewhere that generally 250,000 people line the parade route. We found a spot in the shade and stayed put. There were people as far as you could see.

And of course a little street food never goes amiss.

Such a vibrant, colorful day.

Cheers

Ruth