Guna Trade

Moving to the San Blas location was advantageous to the Guna for developing their trade relations with coastal marine traffic—both merchants and pirates.  It also improved living conditions by leaving floods, wild animals, snakes, disease-spreading insects, and competitions with other tribes behind on shore.  Today Guna Yala (San Blas) remains on the main “highway” between Colombia and Panama, as there is no land-road connecting the countries over the Darien Gap .  Trade with Columbians on boats continues to be important to the Guna economy.

Guna Government

In 1918 the Panamanian government attempted to suppress Guna culture, declaring it illegal to speak the Guna language or wear traditional dress including molas.  The Gunas successfully revolted and declared their independence in 1925.   Since then they have had their own government called “Comerco de Guna Yala.”  Now they are an official a part of the Republic of Panama, which respects the Guna laws, traditions, and culture.  Guna have an independent government called the general “congresso.” Today many Gunas live in Panama City, which is connected to the islands now by a rugged ride over the mountains in four-wheel drive vehicles.

The photo shows us meeting with Guna government officials to pay our foreigner fee to enter Guna Yala.