The Guna
Guna Culture
Guna Language
.jpg)
Delfino's Museum
About the Interviewees
Who are the Guna?
The Guna are an Indigenous group in eastern Panama with a cultural legacy that has been crafted over hundreds of years. Their territory, Guna Yala, consists of a narrow mainland strip by the coast and numerous small islands found in the Caribbean Sea, such as Gardi Sugdub and Isla Aroma.
The Guna Revolution of 1925
In the early 20th century, the Panamanian government attempted to assimilate the Guna by banning their traditional attire, sacred drinks, and ceremonies. To enforce these mandates, Panamanian police were stationed on Guna land, assigned to violently suppress any defiance. As more and more Guna leaders fell as martyrs of resistance, the ones who survived prepared their communities to revolt.
At the heart of the rebellion stood the Guna women. Claiming the color red as their symbol of defiance, they hand-stitched the flag that still flies over Guna lands today. Behind the scenes, it was also the women that orchestrated the strategy that led to the Guna's victory.
In February 1925, during a government-sponsored Carnaval celebration, the Guna made their move. Adorned in red, they carried out a four-day uprising, killing dozens of Panamanian soldiers before securing their victory. A treaty between the Guna and the Panamanian government was drafted shortly afterwards, granting full political autonomy to the Guna Community.
The Guna Revolution Celebration
The Guna celebrates the anniversary of the revolution through cultural dances, the drinking of a traditional Guna drink called chicha, historical songs, and vibrant artistic performances. Every February the Guna will dress in red - the same color their ancestors wore during the rebellion - and perform traditional dances and songs. Important events from the Guna revolution will be reenacted by the Guna people, and American tourists are frequently invited to play the role of Richard Marsh, an American who aided the Guna during the rebellion.
In 2025, the Guna celebrated the centennial anniversary of the Guna Revolution.