THE NGABE - BUGLE

1. Occupying Territory
They occupy the territory of the mountainous regions of
the provinces of Chiriqui and Veraguas, in addition to the
territory of the province of Bocas del Toro.

In 1997, the Ngäbe – Bugle region was created,

covering much of the territory where this group lived.

2. Used Language
The Ngäbere alphabet has 26 letters: 8 vowels and 18
consonants.

The Buglere alphabet consists of 25 letters: 5 vowels

and 20 consonants. Through their languages they
continue to transmit cultural knowledge to their
generations. They have little or no Spanish language
domain.

3. Who are they?

The Ngäbes: the largest subgroup, it occupies the
territory of the province of Bocas del Toro and in four
districts of the province of Chiriquí: Tole, Remedios, San
Felix and San Lorenzo.

The Bugles: It is the smallest subgroup populated and

are located, mostly in the province of Veraguas and in
the border area of Veraguas and Bocas del Toro.
THE KUNAS OR DULES (TULES)

1. Occupying Territory
Its population lies within the counties of Kuna Yala and
Mandungandi in Bayano, near the border with Colombia
there are some villages and in the Ugandi Reserve in
Darien. Today the Kunas live in the San Blas
Archipelago in the Panamanian Caribbean, in the
province of Darién in the upper Chucunaque and
Bayano rivers. The current population is 53,000 people.

2. Used Language
Kuna on Dule Gaya.

3. Who are they?

The Kunas who lived in Darien until the 18th century
began to move near the Caribbean coast of San Blas
when the Spanish began their journey through isthmus.
Today the Kunas live in the San Blas Archipelago in the
Panamanian Caribbean, in the province of Darién in the
upper Chucunaque and Bayano rivers. The current
population is 53,000 people.
4. Laws that govern them
The legal recognition of the Kuna territory was specified
through Law No. 16 of February 19, 1953, which
organized the Kuna Yala Region.
 EMBERÁ - WOUNAAN

1. Occupying Territory
They are located in the Wounaan region in Darien, they
also occupy collective lands in both the province of
Darien and in the province of Panama.

2. Used Language
Embera-Woun Meu.
3. Law governing them
Since Law 22 of November 8, 1983, they are part of the
Embera-Wounan Shire. Convention 169 of 1989
applies. They have the right to preserve their own
customs and institutions, but which are not incompatible
with the fundamental rights defined by national law, nor
do they have the human rights whose recognition is
International.
NASOS (TERIBES)

1. Occupying Territory
They live in the Teribe River region in Bocas del Toro
province very close to the border with Costa Rica.

1. Used Language
Naso
2. Law Governing Them
They have their local authority. Convention 169 of 1989
applies. They have the right to preserve their own
customs and institutions, but which are not
incompatible with the fundamental rights defined by
national law, not with human rights whose recognition
is international.
BRI BRI

The Bri Bri people, according to the Ombudsman's

report in 2000, is another ethnic group that inhabits the
Panama-Costa Rica border region. They inhabit the
banks of the Yorkin And Sixaola Rivers, in the Guabito
District, Bocas Del Toro Province.
The Ethnia is almost unknown, there are about 400
families. Far from development and without being
censed, their aspirations are to have a region. They
have their leaders, who enforce their internal laws.
Convention 169 of 1989 applies. They have the right to
preserve their own customs and institutions, but which
are not incompatible with the fundamental rights
defined by national law, nor do they have the human
rights whose recognition is International.