The rich culture and traditions in Panama are revealed in its folkloric dances and parades. These grand celebrations and festivals occur during national and religious holidays plus there's the  patron saints day celebrations where the dances, music and various festivaties are in full bloom, so to speak. And in particular, many foreigners and nationals are delighted with The Dance of The Cucua Devils in Cocle.

The Cucuas in Cocle

The Dance of The Cucua Devils emerges as a doctrine to subdue native Panamanians to convert to Christianity. The Cucuas is a group whose purpose is to show the native values of the area. The members of the group “Los Cucuas” are children, teens and adults that are dedicated to dance and the confection of the costumes that identifies them. Currently women do not participate in The Dance of The Cucua Devils, but including girls is being evaluated.

During Corpus Christi the Dance of the Cucua Devils, is based in the fight between the devil and the angel Gabriel (who wins the battle) where the devils take costumes and clubs. This dance is also done during regional dances and a show known as “entierro de angelitos”, the burial of little angels.

The dazzling costumes for the Dance of The Cucua Devils

The costumes used for the Dance of The Cucua Devils are made from and painted with plants, making the geometric drawings stand out. The plants used to dye the costumes are the Guaymi plant (for the red coloring), Ojo de Venado plant (for black coloring) and the Yuquilla plant (for yellow coloring). Other lesser used plants are the Achiote, star apple and plantain stem.

The Pita plant is also used to make the thread, which is fine and resistant. The costume used for The Dance of the Cucua Devils is valued in 500 dollars, and is considered to be in extinction because it’s made from the bark of a tree. Among the outstanding accessories for the Dance of The Cucua Devils are the masks with zoomorphic (animal like), anthropomorphic (man like) or combined forms.

In The Dance of the Cucua Devils the masks are really the "star of the show" since they possess so much creativity within them. Observing them closely you'll notice shapes of birds, fish, and Christian liturgy such as the cross, the water and chalice.

The members of the Dance of the Cucua Devils recite verses. The musical instruments used are: the violin, the drum, the guaracha, maracas, two boxes and a “tina” guitar. The dance consists in hoping on one foot and the on the other imitating a collective humming which is not interrupted by the verses. At the end of each rhyme they make a big turn and shout “Júa.

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