New Year

New YearIn Panama, there are numerous New Year traditions, to which Panamanians are very sensitive and pass on to future generations. One of the most common customs for the New Year is to meet it as noisily as possible.

At the time of the arrival of the New Year, an unimaginable noise rises: cars buzz, people scream, dogs bark ... In the middle of the night it becomes very light – everywhere people start fireworks and firecrackers. According to the ancient belief, noise and light scare away evil.

Very popular burning at the stake of various dolls and mannequins, which are made by hand from paper, straw and other materials. Burning dolls at the stake, the people of Panama see off the old year, and with it all sorts of misfortunes, adversity, failures and diseases.

And, of course, on New Year’s Eve, Panamanians cannot do without visits. On this day, people visit their relatives and friends to congratulate them on the holiday and wish them good luck in the coming year.