Mogue Village, Darien
This morning as the light started to illuminate the beautiful Gulf of San Miguel, we were already on our way to the indigenous community of Mogue, traveling in a 30-foot-long “cayucos” made of a local hardwood tree, the best transportation method in this area.
As we rode through the mangrove system of the river, we sighted whimbrels, red-lored Amazon parrots, mealy Amazon parrots, mangrove hawks, roseate spoonbills and many other species of birds. After a short ride, we arrived at the riverbank where we could see from afar the colorful skirts of the Embera women as they welcomed us. These semi-nomadic South American rainforest societies are characterized by their traditional use of blowpipes for hunting and their encyclopedic knowledge of the rainforest. They are also easily recognized by the black geometrical designs which they decorate their bodies. It wasn’t until the 1960’s that they began to settle in permanent villages and established official recognition of their territorial rights on the Darien.
After our visit to this amazing palm-hut made village and after admiring their rich culture, music, and dances, we were quiet on the way back, as we were still in awe at how friendly the Embera were and how peaceful it felt.
Later on in the day on our way to Coiba, the spotters on the bridge made a sighting of a female humpback whale and its calf which we watched of a good 45 minutes before continuing on our way west into a rose-colored sunset. Just another day in paradise.
This morning as the light started to illuminate the beautiful Gulf of San Miguel, we were already on our way to the indigenous community of Mogue, traveling in a 30-foot-long “cayucos” made of a local hardwood tree, the best transportation method in this area.
As we rode through the mangrove system of the river, we sighted whimbrels, red-lored Amazon parrots, mealy Amazon parrots, mangrove hawks, roseate spoonbills and many other species of birds. After a short ride, we arrived at the riverbank where we could see from afar the colorful skirts of the Embera women as they welcomed us. These semi-nomadic South American rainforest societies are characterized by their traditional use of blowpipes for hunting and their encyclopedic knowledge of the rainforest. They are also easily recognized by the black geometrical designs which they decorate their bodies. It wasn’t until the 1960’s that they began to settle in permanent villages and established official recognition of their territorial rights on the Darien.
After our visit to this amazing palm-hut made village and after admiring their rich culture, music, and dances, we were quiet on the way back, as we were still in awe at how friendly the Embera were and how peaceful it felt.
Later on in the day on our way to Coiba, the spotters on the bridge made a sighting of a female humpback whale and its calf which we watched of a good 45 minutes before continuing on our way west into a rose-colored sunset. Just another day in paradise.
