La Gran Nación Indígena / The Great Indian Nation



Falta la comunidad BriBri. Mapa de Internet



La turbulencia entre el gobierno de Panamá y los indígenas Ngobe-Buglé se centraron en la discusión de los planes mineros del primero y su rechazo de parte de los segundos. Y, hace unos días, los indígenas exigieron la exclusión de proyectos hidroeléctricos en su territorio y "territorios adyacentes." Se firmó, recientemente, un "acuerdo para establecer un acuerdo." En el período: 3 muertos indígenas, muchos heridos de ambas partes y un país puesto de rodillas por las tácticas de los habitantes más antiguos de la región.

Ahora se pregunta: ¿Qué hacer?

En mi opinión, parto de la premisa que los indígenas no se sienten panameños. De hecho, cuando se reúnen en foros internacionales se autodenominan miembros de la Gran Nación Indígena -- se extiende a través de todo el continente Americano. Esto es loable, pero se requiere identidad ciudadana -- panameña.

Creo que el gobierno panameño debe iniciar por establecer una campaña dirigida a crear un sentimiento de pertenencia ciudadana entre los indígenas de todas las etnias en Panamá. Mientras no se haga será muy difícil que realmente tengan ellos y el gobierno muchos intereses en común.

Como siempre, los políticos están tratando de pescar en río revuelto.

ENGLISH

There has been much turbulence between the Panamanian government and the Ngobe-Buglé Indians during the past twelve months. Mining rights were waved as the culprit. And to make matters worse the Indians demand hydroelectric projects to be included in their land and "adjacent areas." In this period three Ngobe-Buglés were killed and many were wounded on both sides. Add to this a country paralyzed due to the tactics of the oldest inhabitants of the region.
The question now is: What can be done?
In my opinion, I speak from the premise that our Indians do not feel Panamanian. In fact, when they attend international forums they identify themselves as members of the Great Indian Nation -- it extends throughout the whole American Continent. This is laudable, though citizen identity is required -- Panamanian.
I think that the Panamanian Government should start a program intended to install a feeling of national belonging to Panama among all indigenous ethnic groups in the country. Otherwise, it may be very difficult for them and the Panamanian counterparts to have many shared interests.
As always, politicians are fishing in troubled waters.

Cuando los intereses no son compartidos/ No shared interests

Cortesìa de Internet

¿Exigir que no se construyan hidroelèctricas? Mi electricidad subiò 25% en Enero... '12... tenemos la electricidad entre las màs caras del mundo... para los que consumen 450+ watts/mes. Los indìgenas consumen muchìsimo menos; por lo tanto, no les interesa. Puedo estar de acuerdo con lo de la no minerìa en su comarca, pero no lo demàs...

ENGLISH

Demand that hydroelectric sites be banned in Ngobe-Buglè territory in Panama?  My electric bill increased 25% in January '12... Our electricity bills are among the highest in the world... for all who consume more than 450 watts/month.  The indians do not consume as much; therefore, they do not care.  I can accept the prohibition of mining in their territories, but not this new demand.

Cuando lo que menos interesa es el país When the country isn`t important..

Nuevamente el gobierno panameño está agresivamente frente-a-frente con los habitantes de la Comarca Ngobe Buglé. No tengo ninguna duda de que hay toda una agenda oculta escrita por personas o grupos panameños y extranjeros intentando defender sus intereses – he visto demasiados fulitos no de tipo panameño entre los manifestantes.
Pero lo que más me ha preocupado ha sido el comentario aparecido en CNN En Español en el día de ayer, en el cual se concluyó que el Presidente de Panamá, con su política de extrema derecha, es el segundo hombre más peligroso para la región después de su homólogo de Nicaragua. Y se escuchó el concepto de dictadura de derecha.

Muchos políticos nos ponían a Singapur como ejemplo de desarrollo. Singapur ha avanzado y lo sé porque lo he visitado recientemente. Mas el pueblo de dicho país es diferente a nosotros y, de alguna forma, han aceptado el estilo paternalista-dictatorial de su gobierno. De hecho, se le conoce como el “nanny state” – Estado Niñera.

Los Ngobe-Buglè nos están enseñando a no ser un pueblo pasivo-agresivo. Nos están señalando que pudieron poner al país de rodillas... con agresividad psicológica-económica.

 Hay que ser asertivo, no agresivo a extremos. Aunque hay que recordar que el derecho del individuo termina donde empieza el derecho del vecino. Me parece que todos debemos aprender esto y ponerlo en práctica. ¿Cómo terminará todo este enredo?  Ni idea... Lo que sí sé es que aquello de que "Panamá es el destino turístico No. 1 del mundo en este momento" dejará de tener validez.

Para terminar, desgraciadamente, ni los indios se sienten panameños ni los panameños los consideran co-nacionales. Por eso no hay muchos intereses en pro del bien común. Los Gunas llaman a Panamá "el país." No sé cómo nos llamarán los Ngobe-Buglé.
ENGLISH
Once again the Panamanian government is on an aggressive face-to-face with the inhabitanats of the Ngobe Buglè indians.  I have no doubt that there is a hidden agenda written by persons or national or international groups trying to defend their own interests -- I`ve spotted too many non-Panamanians among the protesters.
I am very concerned about a comment in CNN En Español in which it was said that Panama's President, with his extreme right politics, is the second most dangerous president in the region after Nicaragua's Ortega. And the concept of an extreme right dictatorship was suggested.

Many of our polititians mentioned Singapur as our development goal.  Singapur has boomed.  Nevertheless, it is a very different country from Panama, and its inhabitants have accepted the paternalistic-dictatorial type of government.  In fact, it is known as a "nanny state."
The Ngobe Buglé have taught us not to be a passive-aggresive counry.  And they went as far as demonstrating that they could humilliate the country, made us their hostages... with psychological and economical tactics.
There is the need to be assertive, though not extremely aggresive.  And we must remember that an individual human right ends where the neighbour's rights begin. How will all this end?  I have no idea.  What I do know is that the New York Time's announcement of Panama as the best tourist destination at the moment will have no validity.
Sadly, our indians do not consider themselves Panamanians and neither do Panamanians consider them as such. That's why the Guna group refers to Panama as "the country."  I do not know how we are refered to by the Ngobe-Buglè.

"Gastronomy: The New Ambassador from Venezuela" /"Gastronomìa: La Nueva Embajadora de Venezuela"

Panama has recently been declared as the Number One spot to visit at the moment.  Most people are reminded of the Panama Canal.  Now, with the construction of our first Metro or subway system, modern buildings and international resorts, it is even getting better.  The author of "Gastronomy: The New Ambassador from Venezuela," Juan Abelardo Carles, hails the culinary perks that make Panama a destination for good eating.

Juan Abelardo has descibed the Venezuelan variety of fares in Panama City, going from the street-corner "arepa" vendors to the high class restaurants run by our South American neighbours.  A case in  point is that though geographically attached to Central America Panama's menu is  more related to European, Caribbean and South American kitchens.  The fast-food offers are a direct import from the U.S.

The author of the featured article in January 2012 edition of COPA Airlines' Panorama De Las Amèricas describes with very good taste all the effort put in by Venezuelans now living in Panama.

ESPAÑOL

Recientemente se ha señalado a Panamà como el destino turìstico de la actualidad.  Aunque la mayorìa de las personas nos identifican con el Canal de Panamà, la construcciòn del Metro, sus modernos edificios y hoteles/resorts están cambiando còmo nos perciben. 

Juan Abelardo Carles nos describe còmo la experiencia culinaria venezolana se ha trasladado a Panamà a través de sus recientes inmigrantes.  Me aumentò el apetito cuando leí sobre los vendedores informales de arepas y los restaurantes de alto vuelo ofreciendo comida venezolana.

Es interesante resaltar que la comida panameña no tiene casi ningùn parecido con la de los paìses centroamericanos.  Màs bien, la influencia es caribeña, europea y suramericana.  La comida chatarra es una importaciòn directa desde U.S.A.

Como siempre, el español de Juan Abelardo Carles es impecable, y su capacidad descriptiva se supera cada vez màs.
El artìculo "Gastronomìa :La Nueva Embajadora de Venezuela" apareciò en la re vista de COPA Airlines, Panorama de las Ampericas en su ediciòn de Enero 2012.

The Girl Who Tweaked Two Lions’ Tails -- A Review

The Girl Who Tweaked Two Lions’ Tails by Pierre Van Rooyen

Reviewed by Alex Canton-Dutari

The image of a young girl “talking down” a lion sets the tone for the intensity of this wonderful African story by Pierre Van Rooyen.

The geographical descriptions are vivid, and the plight of the survivors of an airplane crash in the Zambezi Valley is so compelling that I must admit feeling physically tired by the end of the survival quest.

A quote from the novel tells us what kept the group bound together under the leadership of a very special teenager: “…in Africa, where white, black, pink, yellow, brown are thrown together cheek by jowl, the races have to work together peaceably and in harmonious accord if they are to achieve anything worthwhile together.

Van Rooyen is also the author of Saturdays are Gold, another African adventure I enjoyed very much. I am definitely a follower of this writer.

http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Tweaked-Lions-Tails-ebook/dp/B005P6EC2Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327546344&sr=8-1

"Will You Love Me Tomorrow" -- Review

Will You Love Me Tomorrow by Danny Gillan

Reviewed by Alex Canton-Dutari

The author decided to start each chapter with a few lines of Bryan Rivers’ songs. This enabled me to construct an image of this composer/performer, bringing him “to life.”

What kept me glued to the story was the parallelism I found with the struggle of any creative artist. Creative writers always dream of being discovered by someone who will impulse them high among the starts. Though it seems that timing is crucial.

Gillan has written a story that must be read by all who create while dreaming of success. Of course, the definition of the term will find surprising interpretations throughout.

One final lesson is that success – or failure – always touches those who interact with the artist.

http://www.amazon.com/Will-You-Love-Tomorrow-ebook/dp/B005GAC6M4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1327243149&sr=8-2

"Take No More" -- Review

Take No More by Seb Kirby
Review by Alex Canton-Dutari

Murder thrillers are not always my favourite subjects, except when the plot is very well elaborated and maintains a fast pace. Add to this good Queen’s English, which is the case in this novel.

“Take No More” transported me to the likes of a “CSI International” TV show. No doubts about its believability.

Now, on an editorial comment, I am very curious about some technical aspects or, I dare to call, punctuation liberties. For example, ‘ was used instead of “ in the dialogues. A long _____ replaced the … when writing an open sentence. Many grammar glitches appeared which makes me think that editing was rather rushed or done by just one person whose gestalt process got in the way.

I enjoyed Seb’s book. The editing did him no justice.

http://www.amazon.com/Take-murder-mystery-thriller-ebook/dp/B004EYUH9C/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327243517&sr=1-1