Growing Up "Negrita"

When I say "Negrita" mind you, it is a term of endearment where I come from. Tomorrow's post will get into it a little more, and explain why I don't get offended (for the most part; depends on the context and relationship with the person saying it), at the term "negrita" as opposed the word "nigger."

When I say growing up "Negrita" I mean it to say that these are the songs, the cultural staples, the pop culture moments that I was surrounded by, and which became of my cultural tapestry that I cherish.

I got into La Lupe later in life, but when my mom hipped me to her, she became an icon instantly. Her grace, her way of being, her confidence, her intensity, her sensuality... All of these things made her special to me. I don't even need to get into her talent! You can see for yourself that La Lupe could sing her heart out.

You may not understand the lyrics, but definitely get into her performance.



El General was THE man when I was growing up. He was to Spanish Reggae (not reggaeton, that's Puerto Rican, although I LOVE reggaeton too) what Bounty Killer or Beenie Man were and are to Jamaican Dancehall. I remember his songs playing every time we had a dance at school. That hip game stayed with me to this very day (lol).



I also had "El Meneaito". This song was HUGE! Classic.



Musica tipica (folkloric music) was very important to me growing up. It was popular but at the same time very important because it was part of Panamanian traditional dance. Samy and Sandra Sandoval are one of the most popular acts for this kind of music, and even until today, it's a must in my rotation.



This song is called "Gallina Fina." This song is all about losing a lover for carelessness and indifference. He presents his point of view and she presents hers. He says that she's been untrue and rumors are she's been unfaithful. She says, "Let them talk!" She adds that she's a "hot commodity" (literal is a fine chicken...in Spanish it's understood but in English, a "hot commodity" I think is a better translation) and that's she's not for just any guy.

The beautiful dresses you see before are called "polleras." They are very precious to Panamanians. They can be handed down through generations, including the jewelry and "tembleques" (the headress). These outfits, including jewelry and headdress, can run into the thousands. They can also be a status symbol. Their are many polleras, including the pollera de conga (which is attributed to the maroons (cimarrones) who populated the area that is now Colon). I'm currently doing my damndest to order one. I'm waiting to hear word on mine, as I'd like to wear it for my wedding. The all-white pollera is the one used typically used for weddings.

The pollera dates back centuries, and is very dear to Panamanians. Men also wear traditional garb called a "montuno." Those are the outfits the men in the video below are wearing.

I'm making it my business to get these outfits for the boys, and teach them traditional dances.



Here's a great video of some folks touring Panama. Some of the areas have changed, but everything is still familiar in some way. Try not to get motion sickness.

I used to hit the streets with my grandparents all the time. My grandfather spoke Spanish alright, but my grandmother refused to speak it, so I had to translate (lol).



We also like to travel in "style!" These buses (we used to call them Chilibres {because they were often seen passing by our house on their way to Colon and Chilibre from the city} are called "Diablos Rojos" (red devils). They are NO joke. More often than not, their engines are pretty tough too, and they pick up speed. It depends on the bus.



These buses for us were like celebrities in their own right. Kids would argue for hours, and sometimes fight, over which bus was the best. The buses had names like "Dulce Desafio" or "Roge" or "Fantomas" (bit of trivia: Fantomas is actually a French murder novel about a gentleman/killer. How avant garde!). My favorite was "Roge". My brother's was "Dulce Desafio." These buses would have your favorite Latin artist painted on the back (the exit door), looking all cute or hot; like cover art from an album. One, even had girls' names on the windows like Yamilex and Yajaira and Omayra (popular Panamanian names). Actually, I was hoping to have a girl so I could name her Yajaira (pronounced Yah-Hai-Rah). I guess I was super touched by the name seeing it on one of my favorite buses.

There weren't always happy times. I was in Panama for the 1989 invasion and Operation Just Cause. My poor mother was terrified, as she was working in New York (she didn't want us raised there).



The thing that will always stay with me was the day when we were coming home from the city with my grandparents, and a stench engulfed our car. As we passed by, the reason for it became clear. The US military had dug up quite a few graves at the cemetery in Corozal. The bodies were left in, naturally, but my grandmother was devastated because her parents were buried there. I will never forget it and that stench is seared into my memory. They had to do it because corrupt Panamanian officials were hiding money, and other assets in graves.

I was happy when Manuel Noriega was caught. Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief, because it meant moving forward. For me, Just Cause will always be heartbreaking, because so many died, so much was destroyed.

I'll end on a happy note. MERENGUE!!! You know Salsa music is in there, but MERENGUE was the soundtrack to some of the best parties and best memories of my childhood.

This song is called "El Africano" by Wilfrido Vargas. It's still a classic, with Pitbull having sampled it himself.

I'm off. I wish I could show more, but this post would be SUPER long. These are just a few highlights of "growing up Negrita."

In part one of the finale to International Week, I'll discuss some of the not so positive aspects of growing up "Negrita" in Panama.

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