There are innumerable folkloric traditions in Panama; the towns in the interior keep the religious festivities on a big scale. One of the most waited religious celebrations is of Santa Librada, the patron of the town in Las Tablas. Thousands of devotees national as well as foreign assist every year, specifically on the month of July to form part of the activities that are carried out to honor Santa Librada.
How Santa Librada arrived at Las Tablas
The story tells that at the beginning of the XVIII century a group of men formed part o fan expedition against the English pirates, commanded by the Admiral Don Gil Jacinto Barahona, these men arrived to the beaches of Mensabe, on the sides known as “Boca de La Laja".
Two fishermen guided these men inland until reaching a village named “la Ermita de la Santa Cruz" (the chapel of the holy cross), where several families dependent of the city of Nata de los Caballeros and Villa de Los Santos lived. The mentioned village was located in the popular neighborhood of Punta Fogon as it is known presently.
The new settlers brought Santa Librada as fulfillment of a promise made in the high seas, when defeated and a drift, trying to reach a safe place, the mentioned image of Santa Librada was placed in the altar of the first church they found. A modest chapel, was built by the settlers of 1692 to honor Santa Librada.
Activities for the Santa Librada celebration
The celebration in honor of Santa Librada mixes with the folkloric activities, since the weeks prior to the celebration begin the novenas and the entrance of the National Queen of the Pollera. Several competitions also take place, among which are: The “Climaco Batista" Violin Competition, The Painted Shirt and Sombrero Competition where regional Panamanian farmer wardrobe stand out.
The valuable jewelry of Santa Librada
The devoted bring Santa Librada many gifts as a token of gratitude for the granted miracles. Santa Librada wears, every year, a new red and blue dress. This dress is complemented by jewelry that increases every year. Santa Librada has many gold chains joined by links in which there are charms in the shape of lungs, eyes, arms, and legs among other human body parts as a sign of health that the saint has granted her followers.
The National Festival of the Pollera, is the peak of these patron celebrations of Santa Librada, where approximately 100 polleras from around the country are cited in the town of Las Tablas. The celebration of Santa Librada ends with a grand mass in the church built in her honor.
