Exploring the Cultural Significance of the Machete in Panama

The Machete as a tool in Panama's countryside.

The machete is still critically important in the hinterlands of Panama. You'll see cowboys on horseback with their machetes sheathed by the saddle. Field hands are often walking by the road with machete casually hanging by their side. For many agricultural workers it is the most important tool that they'll use on most given days. Machetes are critical for fencing, clearing, harvesting and general chopping. To keep the jungle at bay...you need a machete.

Machetes are typically 20 to 30 inches in length. Depending on the use, the width varies. Big bladed and shorter machetes are usually best for chopping high branches. Longer and thinner machetes are usually best for grasses. The longer the machete, the more power you need for both the wrist and arm. Grooming and gardening is usually fine with a smaller blade. Out in the field or 'monte', however, you'll need all the machete that you can wield.

Lago Bay respects the cultural significance and utility of the Machete

Lago Bay has evolved to mostly machinery for general lawn, garden and field maintenance. There is the big 'grillo' or tractor for the rough open fields. The zero turn machine is absolutely necessary to have the grounds and gardens looking like a postcard picture. Weed eaters are perfect for the edges of the lakes and most of the ditches. But the hard to reach places....like steep hill sides and fencing. You guessed it....the machete.

Folkloric Cultural Significance of the Machete in Panama

In folkloric dance, the machete has cultural significance as an integrate part for some roles of male dancers. The machete as a symbol of hard work and dedication transforms into showman's prop where the dancer swings the blade as part of the performance.

My experience with the Machete in Panama

Machete in Panama

When I first came to Panama I was not convinced that the machete was a very logical tool. Machines are usually easier for many tasks...but there is always a niche for a machete. The macheteros (or machete workers) could cut a rough hectare in a single day with four men swinging blades. We're talking spines or rough grass that wouldn't be easy to walk through. I didn't know much about the different types of terrain and what was involved in clearing or 'cleaning' the land. I decided to get educated.

Swinging a machete all day in the heat is not easy. First of all...your hands, if not accustomed to the work, won't be able to keep a grip on the machete after the first few hours. Because I was a novice...I did the sensible act of changing hands periodically out of absolute necessity. Certain macheteros use both hands...but the majority use their dominant hand all day long. Next, you'll find that if your hand(s) is not used to holding a machete...you'll get some nasty blisters in a short period of time. Wearing a glove is a good idea for starting. If you hand lasts the distance...you'll have to worry about your wrist next. With different activities...like low to the ground strokes, there is a lot of wrist movement. In fact, for a good clean stroke on many different machete strokes...it's all in the wrist...at least at the critical ending motion of the swing.

Chopping (like a tree branch) is more in the arm. A good 45 degree angle is usually the right way to go. Chopping in a V pattern where one or two strokes alternate for either side of the V. Chopping can also really wear you out. If any novice can make the distance for four hours of continual machete work...I'd say that the next day...his hand, wrist and arm will all be just about useless. It takes a seasoned machete veteran to get up each and every day and swing a blade.

The best of the macheteros swing the blade with their whole body. The movement is perfected with technique that is honed. Perhaps more akin to a skill like golfing or karate, the machetero has long surpassed the idea of just whacking things with a whacking stick. The stroke entails the whole body starting with the stance, moving through the hips and coming down with a great follow through using the pendulum momentum for the next swing coming back.

I have much respect for the Panama machete and the macheteros that wield the blade for their livelihood. It's a noble art.