HIspanicHeritageEssayPS

We should keep Hispanic Heritage alive because many people still organize their lives based on their native cultures. People still do things such as socializing, clothing, traditions, and art the way their native cultures use them. If we wiped out all of the Hispanic Culture, then many lives would be changed in dramatic ways. People would have to change their lifestyles because they live by the ways of their Hispanic culture does. There are many reasons to keep the Hispanic culture alive. We should all try to fight for it.

One reason we should keep Hispanic culture alive is because many people still base their lives off of it. Socializing is one example that people still use today. In Panama, socializing is a very big thing. If a business person comes to talk to you about business, they would have to make small talk first so they would know the other person on a slightly personal level. Talking strictly business with no friendly talk would be considered rude. When men and women greet each other, they kiss each other on the cheek. When strangers greet each other, they shake hands. Men will always shake hands when greeting. Panamanians favorite topics of conversation often include, family, common friends, interests, hobbies, and sports. Panamanians will use one of these topics to start a friendly conversation with someone. Mostly used to make small talk or to have a quick chat before discussing more serious or business type matters. When Panamanians are invited to parties, get-together's, hangouts, etc, they often bring gifts.Most gifts are small inexpensive items, showing a sign of respect. When they are attending bigger parties, they bring bigger gifts to fit the mood of the event. When Panamanians attend dinner parties or eat out at restaurants, it is polite for the guest to eat everything on their plate. It shows good manners by complimenting the host. They signal they are done with the meal by placing their knife and fork vertically and parallel on their plate. Socializing is a big part in Panama. It determines how someone is portrayed to someone else, manners wise. By taking away this part of people's culture, you are taking away a huge part of their life, something as simple as how they great one another.

Socializing isn't the only thing that is important in Hispanic heritage. Clothing is a big part in people's lives. People will dress up in their traditional clothing and will have parties or big celebrations. Panamanian men traditional wear usually consists of straw hats, white cotton shirts, and trousers. Women's clothing is the "pollera" which is a "cambric" or "fine linen." It is usually white and made with 13 yards of material. It usually consists of a ruffled blouse worn off the shoulders and a skirt with gold buttons on the waistline. The skirt is ruffled so that when it is lifted it looks like a peacock's tail or a mantilla fan. The designs on the skirt and blouse usually consist of beautiful flowers or elegant birds. Two large pom poms, or motas, are on the front and back of the shirt; four ribbons hang from the neck to the waist, a gold cross or medallion on a black ribbon is worn as a choker, and a silk purse is worn on the waistline. Earrings, or zaricillos, are usually a gold or coral color. The slippers they wear match the color of the pollera. Their hair is in a bun, held together by three gold combs with pearls, or tembleques, worn like a crown. The pollera usually costs up to $10,000 and takes a year to complete the making. The "Pollera de Gala" consists of a short-sleeved ruffle skirt blouse, two full-length skirts and a petticoat. The "Pollera Munfana" is a daily dress, with a blouse, a solid color skirt, a single gold chain, and a pendant earring with a natural flower in their hair. They have a white jacket with shoulder pleats and a flared hem. The Pollera originated in Spain in the 16th century. It was typical in Panama in the 1800s, usually worn by servants. Now, the traditional clothing in Panama is worn in parades, where females and males do traditional dances. Females do a gentle sway and twirl their skirts, while the men hold their hats in their hands and dance behind the females. By taking away the Hispanic culture you are taking away huge parts of people's lives. People still dress up in these dresses and clothing to participate in parades and parties.

Another thing that people still use today is traditional dances. A dance called "Gran Diablo," or the Great Devil, shows the underworld struggle between good and evil and is represented in the shape of Angel Saint Michael and the Devil. "La Pajarilla," or The Little Bird, is an art formed by inhabitants of San Hose de Las Tablas, one of the Corpus celebrations. "El Torito," or The Little Bull is a dance that is full of joy and fun. Used to make peace and create joy between the people. The most outstanding festive days are those dedicated to the Patron Saints: the Sabbath of Glory, the Day of the Cross, La Mejorana Festival, La Pollera Festival, Saint Sebastian in Ocú, and Corpus Christi. People still preform these dances today. Taking away the Hispanic culture would take away the traditional dances that they preform time to time. Which would affect many things such as parties and big hangouts.

Hispanic culture is important everywhere. Many people still base their daily lives off of how their native cultures are. Taking away their culture habits, is taking away a huge part of their life. Many people will have to change their whole lifestyle because most of their life is based of those habits. Hispanic culture is important to many people. Taking away their culture is like taking away half of your daily habits and replacing them with something new. Changing someone's culture is a big deal. That is how a lot of people grew up and how they act and use their manners and dance and dress. It takes a big toll in someone's life and it is very important to them. We should all respect them and how they live. Just how they respect us and how we live.

Citations:

//"Museums" Wikipedia //. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. .


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"Panama Culture - The Online Almanac of Panama Culture with Travel Links." //Panama Culture - The Online Almanac of Panama Culture with Travel Links //. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. .
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"Panama." "FAQs." //Membership //<span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; font-family: 'Open Sans','Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. <http://www.countryreports.org/country/Panama/visiting.htm>.
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//<span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; font-family: 'Open Sans','Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"Traditional Clothing" Wikipedia //<span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; font-family: 'Open Sans','Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama#Traditional_clothing>.
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