S.A.M.A.A.P.

The West Indian Museum of Panama was inaugurated by the Panamanian government on December 22, 1980, as a tribute to the West Indian immigrants who came to Panama to build the railroad and the Canal.

History of the West Indian Museum

Panama Canal 105th Anniversary Gala Event

The Society of Friends of the Afro-Caribbean Museum of Panama is having their 105th Panama Canal Centennial Gala at the Colon Hall of the Wyndham Hotel in Albrook Mall on Saturday, August 17, 2018.

XXXVIII West Indian Fair 2019

Gran Feria Afroantillana
2 y 3 de Marzo de 2019
en el Atlapa

Conozca Su Canal 2017

During this week, SAMAAP sponsored a series of activities in remembrance of our heritage which is a collaboration between SAMAAP and the Panama Canal Administration for more than thirty years.

View the pictures

The actual building of the Panama Canal which, unknown to many, was carried out in two phases, brought in a whole new series of factors in calculating the cost of building an engineering marvel of the kind that was inaugurated in 1914 in the tiny republic of Panama.

Conozca Su Canal

West Indian Constuction Workers

Over 100,000 West Indian immigrants would come to Panama to work on the canal. Of those recruited the most came from Barbados who sent almost 20,000 people. This was one-tenth of the total population of the island and 30-40% of its adult males.

West Indian Workers

Modern City of Panama

Many West Indians and their descendants remained after completion of the Canal as workers in the Canal Zone.. In the end, many West Indians stayed in the country and added their culture to that of Panama while others returned to the islands or emigrated to the United States.

Our City Under Construction

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Reinauguration of the Afro Antillean Museum of PANAMA

After six months, the Afro Antillean Museum was reopened on May 3, 2018.

News & Events

Panama Canal 105th Anniversary Gala Event

Panama Canal 105th Anniversary Gala Event The...

Celebración del 38 Aniversario de SAMAAP

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Panama Canal 104th Anniversary Gala Event

La Sociedad de Amigos del Museo...

Our Mission Statement

SAMAAP (The Society of Friends of the West Indian Museum of Panama) is a civic non-profit organization, which has as its objectives to support and raise funds for the maintenance and extension of the work of the West Indian Museum of Panama. In addition, the organization is also dedicated to supporting and sponsoring activities that contribute to the social and cultural development of the community and feature the best aspects of afro-Caribbean culture.

Customer Testimonials

West Indian Fair at Atlapa

This year’s crowd at the ATLAPA convention Center was bigger than in the past, drawing isthmian residents of all ethnicities and a lot of visitorsfrom abroad, particularly US residents of West Indian descent who trace roots through Panama. We had a great time!