| Embera Quera Village |
The main hut of the Flaco family, and
gathering place for hanging out.
gathering place for hanging out.
Marco's Mom, Mitzi, and his Dad,
Atilano... and the family bird, SQUAWK!
Atilano... and the family bird, SQUAWK!
This is the beautiful Embera princess
Lizbeth Flaco who had a nice part in
the movie, End of the Spear.
Lizbeth Flaco who had a nice part in
the movie, End of the Spear.
Marco's younger brother Norby is
chillin' with breakfast. He seems to love
village life, fishing, and building things.
chillin' with breakfast. He seems to love
village life, fishing, and building things.
Here's Bula (Atilano) Flaco with a
friend and the simple English book I
brought him. He had the biggest part
of any of the Flaco's in End of the
Spear, playing one of the Waodani
warriors. He was great!
friend and the simple English book I
brought him. He had the biggest part
of any of the Flaco's in End of the
Spear, playing one of the Waodani
warriors. He was great!
At night they do not even have a gas
camping lantern... here Senor Flaco is
working with Lizbeth on English
lessons. His English is very good, and
he has an amazing spiral notebook he
made while he was away.
camping lantern... here Senor Flaco is
working with Lizbeth on English
lessons. His English is very good, and
he has an amazing spiral notebook he
made while he was away.
I went to work one day with the men to
widen the small canal that leads from
the Rio Gatun to the lake where the
village is. We worked hard, and man,
it was hot!
widen the small canal that leads from
the Rio Gatun to the lake where the
village is. We worked hard, and man,
it was hot!
Now we head downriver to catch a bus
into town. Three very nice smiles, eh?!
In the middle is Amagala, who will be
the head man, or Noko of the new
village. The boat trip is 20 minutes and
a beautiful ride.
into town. Three very nice smiles, eh?!
In the middle is Amagala, who will be
the head man, or Noko of the new
village. The boat trip is 20 minutes and
a beautiful ride.
This is a traditional hut under
construction. Most of the materials are
right out of the forest, with the
exception of some floorboards they
buy in town.
construction. Most of the materials are
right out of the forest, with the
exception of some floorboards they
buy in town.
Here is another hut. This is just
temporary, they will modify it to be
stronger and have the traditional
thatched roof. Sheesh, there is SO
much work to do.
temporary, they will modify it to be
stronger and have the traditional
thatched roof. Sheesh, there is SO
much work to do.
Now let's look at some photos (and
video is on final page) of the Embera
doing their traditional tatoo work and
dancing... as they would do for tourists!
video is on final page) of the Embera
doing their traditional tatoo work and
dancing... as they would do for tourists!
This village needs much more work to be a healthy place to live and entertain
tourists. They need generators, dugout canoes, 15hp boat motors, life jackets, a
hut (hostel) for overnight guests, and a clean water system. Also, the Noko (Chief)
of the village, Amagala, showed me where he would like to have a Church building
at the top of a large hill. And there is quite the inspiring view from there!
tourists. They need generators, dugout canoes, 15hp boat motors, life jackets, a
hut (hostel) for overnight guests, and a clean water system. Also, the Noko (Chief)
of the village, Amagala, showed me where he would like to have a Church building
at the top of a large hill. And there is quite the inspiring view from there!
Here is a little background on this connection from Oregon to Panama:
I met many of these Embera people when I was working as a Still Photographer on the movie set
for "End of the Spear" in 2004. The Embera people were amazing actors in the movie, several of
them playing LEAD roles. (You'll read more about this in the Meet Marco section.) Also SEE the
full article I wrote about End of the Spear on DigitalMission.us. (Including 50+ photos!)
Here are some pictures of the village from April 2007, mostly of the Flaco family. This will give you
a good idea of how they live, what their life is like, etc. CLICK on photos to enlarge.
I met many of these Embera people when I was working as a Still Photographer on the movie set
for "End of the Spear" in 2004. The Embera people were amazing actors in the movie, several of
them playing LEAD roles. (You'll read more about this in the Meet Marco section.) Also SEE the
full article I wrote about End of the Spear on DigitalMission.us. (Including 50+ photos!)
Here are some pictures of the village from April 2007, mostly of the Flaco family. This will give you
a good idea of how they live, what their life is like, etc. CLICK on photos to enlarge.