Last Updated on April 13, 2021
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Panamanians party hard! Carnaval is Panama’s biggest annual celebration, and while it might not be as well known as Rio de Janeiro’s Carnaval or Mardi Gras in New Orleans, it is one of the biggest carnivals in the world. For seven days, the streets around the country are flooded with parades and fantastic costumes. We hit Bocas del Toro for the carnival weekend and witnessed the seemingly painful custom of the ‘whipping devils’, in which devils chase through the streets and whip at the legs of people in the crowd. The devils represent the Spanish conquerors and the evils of the slavery.
Dan
Friday 18th of November 2011
Wow, that's a great costume, I hope there are eye holes!
Mack
Saturday 7th of May 2011
I took on a Panamanian devil in the streets of Boca Town a few years back. I managed to avoid his whip while we "battled", but then he got me own the ankle as I was walking away. Never turn your back on the devil!
jess
Sunday 8th of May 2011
You are a brave, brave soul Mack. We saw people's whip marks - those are some seriously aggressive devils!
Amy
Saturday 12th of March 2011
Nice photo! I love the word 'Panamanian'! :) It just makes me smile! :) If I decide to go there, I think I'll just spend all day saying it.... Panamanian.... Panamanian..... Panamanian..... :)
jess
Sunday 13th of March 2011
Thanks Amy - your comment made us laugh so hard.... and now we can't say Panamanian anymore without thinking about your comment ;)