As it gets closer to the holidays, you will begin to see the popular Panamanian tradition of creating amuñeca(a scarecrow-looking doll) that is placed along the side of the road in front of peoples homes. These life sized effigies are burned at midnight on the 31st, but in Santa Catalina they have taken this to a whole new level, building theirmuñeca, or what they have come to call Burning Woman about 5 meters tall (or 15 feet).
The burning of effigies has been carried out in many cultures throughout the world. The burning of Judas, of kings at carnival, and the wicker man by the druids are traditions that continue, or have morphed and changed, adopted by new culture, for example, Burning Man or in this case, Burning Woman. The Panamanian version of this fire ritual more resembles the European custom of creating politicians or public figures to burn as a symbol of public disapproval, especially if the person committed a crime which could not or would not be apprehended. Though, you will notice a wide array ofmuñecas; from Marge Simpsons to ex-presidents here in Panama. Whatever they create, the burning signifies a purification. It’s out with the old, and in with the new!
Starting in 2019, residents of Santa Catalina began to put their own giant sized spin on this Panamanian tradition. Inspired by the work of Mavis Muller’s Burning Basket Project (an interactive ephemeral art project) and her visit to Santa Catalina in 2020, a group of women have continued to build on and create an interactive ritual of their own. After the Christmas holiday these ladies come together at the Estero Beach with lumber, power tools, a wide spectrum of skills, and ideas to begin planning, constructing, and the gathering of materials. Every year, they build the frame of a giant sized female effigy using scrap lumber and driftwood, leaving her center hollow to fill with dry materials to set a flame. Her exterior is carefully woven with local sticks and plants and she is adorned with greenery and flowers the day of the 31st.
The theme for this year’s Burning Woman is a Dryad or a Tree Spirit who will represent safety, strength, immortality, balance, union, as well as hope. Her trunk will be woven completely of eucalyptus bark and her hair eucalyptus branches and leaves sending off a powerful aroma and additional intentions for protection, purification, and healing. It is female hands that build the Burning Woman, but everyone is invited to add their own special adornment. Paper and string is provided to write your gratitudes, hopes, dreams, dedications, or the things you wish to release into the ethers when this temporal art sculpture is burned at midnight.
Hotel Oasis & Surf Camp has held a long standing tradition of hosting a New Year’s Eve party at the Estero Beach with a DJ and an elaborate firework display when the clock strikes twelve. Which is where you can also take part in the Burning Woman celebration and what is becoming a modern day myth or legend. Her creators expand on this by saying, “As old belief structures and values fall away and our natural resources continue to be threatened, we are moving into a place of uncertainty in the world. It seems now more than ever we are all searching for a unifying story, a modern myth, or something we can believe in. Each year we create Burning Woman as a messenger, who when set on fire, has the ability to carry our collective hopes and prayers for our future and the future of this planet into the Universe. That is why this year’s theme of a tree and its symbolism of the Earth is so potent.”
The idea is that when a large group gathers around her and focuses on this one thing together, this one story, people from all different countries, languages, and backgrounds are united by this moment and touched by this experience. Burning Woman gives both nationals and visitors a reason to come together, to experience creating something as a group, and teaches impermanence or the art of letting things go.
Starting December 26th, you can see the building process of Burning Woman at the Oasis Beach Club at Estero Beach in Santa Catalina and possibly lend a hand. You are invited to weave your own messages and magic into her being on the 31st and to watch her come alive at midnight.
