Panama - Nabargandup bipi - living with 700 souls on a 2 acre island - XL

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
boanerges on its way to nabargandup bipi

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
Pandura onit way to nabargandup bipi

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
I will be anchored here for 3 month in total

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
The newly bought community lancha is a lemon, a desaster

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
The lancha is moved into the Pentacostal church

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
Cracks all over the place, this means real work

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
working with the grinder and God appreciates it

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
Maureen is working the grinder, Cebaldo is helping

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
this id not what Kuna call work, they are not gonna help

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
Replacing transom

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
look how those foreigners work on our lancha, loco!!

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
Maureen, cutting glass

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
hard-wood strait from the jungle and epoxy

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
Uli, Maureen, Eddy, tomorrow Sunday!!!

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
Boanerges is waiting for me

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
Molivi Davis (age 70)

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
good work!!

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
making molas while going shopping in Carti

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
smoked fish, delicious

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
cana de azucar and yuca, (tastes good when fried)

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
after some dispute with the saila, he brought these fish

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
human eats big fish, eats small fish. poor small fish

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
more fish, every day fish

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
he wants to learn english and expects me to learn kuna

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
the ulus (kano) are made out of a tree

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
gifts from the island

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
3 streetlights, at 8 pm only darkness

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
after 9 month searching, at last I imported a new high tensile chain from the US.

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
presenting the result of my photography efforts, in the maloca

nabargandup bipi-kuna Yala
Proudly presenting. 10 min later they grab the pictures to take them home!!

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
The living on Nabargandup Bipi is based on their Rio Nergala

Nabargandup Bipi - Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Nabargandup Bipi, 700 heads living on 2 acres

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
every household has an ulu (kano)

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
children welcome me happily, the adults hide for me

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
The Maloca or Congresso. The community decides here, the Saila is only the mediator

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Roberto Perez, Saila and Cachique (highest ranked leaders of San Blas)

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
The Saila. He does the consultation with the people from within his hammock

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
cbow and arrow, the symbols of San Blas

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
youngster in training for higher duties

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
two solar panels for the street-lights!!

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
The islands are man made by collecting dead coral. So only 10-20cm above sealevel

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Going ashore for supplies, water, wood and food

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
first picture taken ever from her

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Sulimitra makes contact. She will always stay with me when I am on the island.

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Roberto Perez candid

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
a typical household

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
not a cat but a beautiful bird as pet

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
ruben cantuele perez

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Aneli and friends

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
coming back from Rio Nergala

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
6 am, women, singing, returning from a burial ashore. No man is allowed to join

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
3 to 4 generations live in one room. Family and aquantance live there too

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
The husband moves into the family and the house of his wife

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
The mobi has changed life a lot

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Grandma and grandpa live on the other side of the house

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
She lives on the other side of the wall of canes, there are no secrets for her

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
children, everywhere and happy when I arrive

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Life is difficulr when being the youngest, everywhere

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
My favourite image of Sulimitra

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
six important life changers: 1-the mobile connects all

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
The youth meets on a daily basis rap and gringo tv

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
3-almost half of the population of bipi are children

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
She speaks spanish and will become a social worker

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
5-sweets, bread and beer are available now

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
6-cousins from Panama bring the city mentality and hiv

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
7-the congreso ie governement means rules and registration

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
the shower

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
the bathroom outside

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
A social family duty, 2 weeks long,5/day transporting coral to highten the island

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
not everyone feel happy with a white face

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Fried platano + fish chips: would you like dinner with us

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
the former shamaan and his wife

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
The retired shamaan, replaced by the certified doctor in Carti. A 2 hour boatride from here.

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
once a year a health check for the youth by the panamenians

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Yoel

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Erica Marces Arely

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Erica

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Bonai

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Would you take a picture of my grandson? please?

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
remodelling the house

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
proudly presenting the hi fi. today short of current

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
preparing the daily portion of yuca

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
smoking fish

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
that's lasts years administration of Bipi

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Going home to Nabargandup Dumas

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
sulimita does not understand why she can't play

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
sumilitra is a happy kid. will she ever make molas?

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Sumilitra

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Where the youth hangs out in the evening

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Returning from the soccer game ashore

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
The shoreside is now for the mosquitos and spirits

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
3 streetlights on a small generator, at 8 pm darkness. the day starts at 4am

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
chicha party today, we are invited

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Chicha party, with palmwine. Everybody gets drunk, this music sailas too

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
chicha party, with palmwine. Everybody gets drunk

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Only at Chicha parties one gets alcohol.

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
The Congresso has banned beer but cannot force this rule. The youth in pink shirt is trained to become saila

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
gringo TV is here too!!

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
The old saila and Cebaldo (blue shirt) are communicating with the gods

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Sailas communicating with the gods

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Question: could you transform a passport photo in a nice picture like you make?

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
preparing food for the initiation rite

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
The woman are preparing for the evening

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Palm-ornaments for initiation rite of young girls

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
In this hut the young girls will stay some days

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
visitor from another island

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
she is prepared

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Yoidi with kid

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Yoidi, was stunned when she did see herself on this photo. The rest of the island too

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Yoidi

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
This city kuna girl wears a shailas hat, this is not done. But what can you do about it?

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
The women go together to the sea to pee, the local travistite joins

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Dancing for hours

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Each puppet has a soul and ptotects an individual. These are rarely shown to strangers

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Half of the house of Remisky is removed in one day, while inhabited by bad spirits

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Making symbols but why? I was not allowed to be ashore during the week of the rites.

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
I expect they are burned

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
The father of Sulimita makes a statue

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
Some rite to remove bad spirits from the island. For every adult a bow and arrow is made

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama

nabargandup bipi Kuna Yala (San Blas) - Panama
When I was again allowed on the island all woodwork was gone
Nabargandup Bipi in San Blas-Panama. vivir en pace, todavia, pero?
text about france
Mirum est notare quam littera gothica, quam nunc putamus parum claram, anteposuerit litterarum formas humanitatis per seacula quarta decima et quinta decima. Eodem modo typi, qui nunc nobis videntur parum clari, fiant sollemnes in futurum.
Claritas est etiam processus dynamicus, qui sequitur mutationem consuetudium lectorum.
Images provided by Ákos Major (http://akosmajor.com). All rights reserved.