Northern Guaymí

The Northern Guaymí are a group of Central American Indigenous people who live in western Panama. They are part of the larger Guaymí people, whose language belongs to the Chibchan language family.12

The Northern Guaymí inhabit a tropical forest environment where hunting and gathering are nearly as important as agriculture. Their staple crops include corn, beans, and various fruits and vegetables. They practice slash-and-burn agriculture, with men clearing fields and women planting. Hunting is done with firearms, bows and arrows, or blowguns, and traps are also used. Fishing is also a significant activity for this group.1

Their houses are typically round, square, or rectangular with thatched roofs and walls made of upright poles. Traditional clothing for men includes a breechclout, poncho, or shirt, and for women, a breechclout and a long skirt. Crafts include basket weaving, net making, and pottery.1