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Verdi 200

Saturday Classics Opera singer Robert Lloyd presents an edition devoted to the operas of Verdi.

World Routes

Image for Kuna Indians, Lord Panama and Cumbia

Play now 60 mins

Kuna Indians, Lord Panama and Cumbia

Duration:
1 hour
First broadcast:
Saturday 04 May 2002

In the second of two special programmes from Panama, Lucy Duran visits the ecologically sound and self-sufficient Kuna Indians on one of their tiny autonomous islands off the country's eastern coast. There she experiences a healing potion called to life with song, and witnesses the dances and music which commemorate Kuna history.

Back on the mainland she also meets Lord Panama, King of Calypso, before discovering the local form of 'Cumbia' music at the huge Independence Day celebrations in the town of Chorrera.

Music and featured items

20 items
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Panpipes of the Kuna Indians

    Lucy Duran hears the bamboo panpipes players of the Kuna Indians.

  • Music Played

    • 00:01

      Kuna players a piece of Bamboo panpipe music

    • 00:04

      Kuna players Bamboo panpipe music/ a dance telling a tale from Kuna mythology

  • Kuna dances and thier past

    Lucy is shown the Kuna’s traditional dances and learns about their history.

  • Music Played

    • 00:07

      Kuna players Bamboo panpipe music/ a dance telling a tale from Kuna mythology

  • Lucy visit a herbal healer

    A herbal healer tells Lucy about medicinal plants and singing to bring the spirit.

  • The Island's Oldest Man

    The island’s oldest man deciphers ancient Kuna hieroglyphics, and “sings the symbols”.

  • Music Played

    • 00:19

      Kuna players Bamboo panpipe – a song about a hunting dog.

  • A Lullaby and a bridge

    Lucy hears a Kuna lullaby and the islanders' ideas about a bridge to the mainland.

  • Music Played

    • 00:23

      Kuna woman a lullaby

    • 00:28

      Kuna players Bamboo panpipe – a piece describing the sound of trees in the wind.

  • Lord Panama and Calypso music

    Lucy discovers Panamas Calypso music with Lord Panama.

  • Music Played

    • 00:29

      Lord Panama Calypso

    • 00:34

      Lord Panama Fire Down Below

    • 00:37

      Lord Panama Joanne

  • Cumbia and the Independence Day Parade

    Lucy describes the schoolgirls dancing Cumbia, a style mostly identified with Columbia

  • Music Played

    • 00:42

      Jonathan Chavez and Chorera street band Cumbia

    • 00:45

      Jonathan Chavez and Chorera street band Cumbia (“Julia”)

  • Cumbia in Chorera

    Mamichocon tells Lucy about the special role and style of Cumbia in Chorera.

  • Music Played

    • 00:52

      Jonathan Chavez and Chorera street band Raskate (“scratch yourself”)

Broadcasts

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