In Panama, Black Ethnicity Month (locally known as Mes de la Etnia Negra) is celebrated throughout May. Officially established by Law 9 in 2000, this national observance honors the historical contributions, cultural heritage, and resilience of Afro-Panamanians, culminating on May 31st with National Black Ethnicity Day.

Images of the Black Ethnicity Month 2023 in Panama

There were several waves of Afro descendants that arrived in Panama. First the ones that were brought directly from Africa enslaved by the Spanish colonizers; then the ones that came voluntarily from the Caribbean islands, first for the construction of the railroad, then for the French attempt to build the canal, and finally for the American canal construction project. The 2020 census reveals that about 32% of the population consider themselves to be Afro descendants.