Evening star., 1903-12-19
DOMESTIC LIFE IN PANAMA.
The Women, Their Amusements and
Their Homes, as Seen by Traveller

From the New York Tribune.
AS all eyes are now turned on Panama a
picture Of the domestic life of Panama,
given by returned traveller, is sure to be
of interest
The gentlewomen of Panama, according
to this observer. are, in common with other
Colombians, graceful in movement and
charming in manner. The houses of tho
rich are large and often open on q central
court, luxuriant with vines and flowers
Some OF these courts are protected by avn
ings in the sunny hours, and some of thcm-
have perfumed fountains which are utilized
for baths. But, truth to tell. the Colon-
bians do not favor much bathing. An
American girl was advised that her he-
quent use of water would ruin her com
plexion. Her friends daubed their faces
and occasionally their necks with rf'le
aguardiente, sort of cane rum, and 1rieQ
them with tiny lace trimmed towels. The
rooms do not usually contain much furni-
ture but are decked with a wealth OF
tropical flowers of exquisite fragrance. y
rare plant of the orchid family bears the
Flower of the Holy Ghost. The petals are
Of an alabaster white, and within them
appear miniature chapel of alabaster,
containing dove with dropping wings. the
stamens and pistils producing the resem-
blance to the dove form. Other beautiful
orchids abound.
Little upholstered furniture is used ard
the floors are tiled. In the sala, or parlor.
is a double row of wicker rocking chairs
down the center, and when a hostess re-
ceives she and her guests rock continually
while they chat. The Colombians are a.
hospitable people and receive strangers coy
daily 1t is customary for stranger 10
send cards to those whose acquaintance he
desires and etiquette demands that the re-
cipients of the cards call within few days.
The dining tables of the rich are spread
with fine linen and set with handsome cur
glass and china. Among their beverages.
In addition to wines, are cebada, barley
water; orchada, which contains almond
juice and sugar; agrass, the juice OF un-
ripe grapes naranjada, orangeade, ana a
preparation of chocolate thick as Cruel. a
dish for invalids Is sopa de pan; raw
egg is broken upon a slice of toast and a
beef broth is poured over 1t. A breakfast
often consists of several courses for IN
stance, fruit, poaehed eggs with stewed tc-
matoes and rice; fish, chops fried in eggs
and herbs, and a tortilla con seso, brain
omelette; sweet potatoes or other vegetab bic
and coffee Saffron is a fayorite fiavoring
for soup. Chicken or game pies contain
variety of vegetables, hard-boiled eggs and
other ingredients. A common dish among
the poor is a stew called sin coche. An
other standby is rice and red beans Rice
cooked in lard with a little tasado, dried
beef, for a relish. is a tidbit among the
lower classes The flesh Of the iguana, q
species of land lizard, is regarded as deli
cacy and is said to resemble chicken. The
natives slit the sides of living female igua-
mas and take from them strings of eggs az
large as plums They hang these eggs IN
the sun and dry them for future consuusI'-
ton.
The huts of the poor are of logs, WITH
bamboo plated sides and mud-hlled chinks.
The windows have wooden shutters, but no
glass. Sleeping places are bamboo benches
with hide thrown over them, or hammocks
woven by the women Gourds of various
shapes and sizes do duty for dishes, spoons
and knives Chairs and benches are hol-
lowed logs of wood. But the poems get
their living easily and enjoy life well. They
delight in music and dancing, and women
as well as men smokers. Cock fighting
is a fayorite amusement
The peasant women are usually bare |
footed and bareieaded, with mantillas for
special occasions. Their dress is a short |
skirt and bodice. or an ample, frilled, low
necked garment called a-poliera- Even the |
poorer classes are bedecked with jswelry. |
The pearls of the gulf are very fine. and
the jewellers of Panama make beautiful
necklaces, bracelets. ETC., Of finest gold !
threads, into which pearls are woven. Wo-
men OF the upper classes take little exer- 7
else In the open air. When family is IN
mourning the women frequently remain
within doors for months behind closes
blinds.