Music, Arts and Crafts at Cristobal Pier in Colon, Panama

At the Cristobal Pier, at the Panama Cruise Port in Colon, Panama, Central America, you will find hundreds – maybe even thousands – of unique arts and crafts. Most of these souvenirs are hand-made by local people.

The shopping center is an expansive building, and very lively with tourists and locals.

Musical Performancce

One of the most interesting activities going on at the port was a folklore musical performance by the Emberá people, also known as the Chocó or Katío Indians – indigenous people of Panama and Colombia.

They were selling musical instruments made of hollowed-out turtle shells that clicked and clacked when struck.

The shell I played was large (about 12″ long and 8″ wide), and it was hollowed out.

The smiling tribeswoman handed me a stick with the shell, and gestured to me to strike the stick on the inside of shell. It was a percussion instrument of sort. Reminded me of how musicians use a cow bell for additional “oomph” during a song.

They were also selling carved wooden instruments in the shape of frogs. They were very fun! The backs of the carved frogs had vertical points that you would strike a stick along the back. Amazingly, they sounded like a frog croaking! Very cool.

What are some unique cruise ports you have visited?

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