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Where Africa Meets Europe: Afro-Colonial Influences As Seen In The Tradition Of The Mirrored Devils Of Panama, Elizabeth Rhodes
Where Africa Meets Europe: Afro-Colonial Influences As Seen In The Tradition Of The Mirrored Devils Of Panama, Elizabeth Rhodes
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The Republic of Panama is rich with folklore traditions which include as many different kinds of devils as there are provinces. Diablos sucios (dirty devils) and grandiablos (grand devils) can be seen in festivals across the country. Less visible are the diablos de espejo, or devils of the mirrors, which dance each year in the village of Escobal for the celebration of Corpus Christi. The dance movement performed throughout the day and the culminating drama which occurs in the local Catholic church at the end of day demonstrate a clear melding of African and Spanish colonial influences.