El único Panamá - Week 52

Welcome to our weekly series about the uniqueness of Panama!

Celebrate New Years in Panama with Muñecos and Fireworks!

At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve the life size mannequins, muñecos, as they are called, are exploded – some people burn them but exploding seems more fun – symbolically saying goodbye to the old year. It is to keep the fights, the gossip, the evil and memories in the past. The muñecos can symbolize people they love or don’t care for; famous people, politicians, a family member or friend. Sometimes they resemble scarecrows, or have them standing or sitting in beach chairs in the front yard. I even saw one strapped to the back of a car!

Burning the old starts the New Year with a clean slate making it fresh and new again.

Fireworks will light up the skies throughout Panama for hours with the celebration of a new year.

Happy New Year!