UNESCO has formally recognized Panama’s traditional wattle and daub house construction and community plastering practices as cultural heritage in urgent need of protection. The decision was made during a session of the intergovernmental committee in India on Tuesday, December 10. This urgent listing compels Panama to implement immediate preservation measures for these centuries-old building techniques, which officials say are at serious risk of disappearing.
The inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding covers two interconnected elements. These are the specific processes for building the ‘Casa de Quincha,’ a structure made from wood, cane, and mud, and the communal ‘Junta de Embarre’ tradition where neighbors gather to plaster the walls. Panamanian authorities, who nominated the practices, argued they are vital to national identity but face extinction due to modernization and changing lifestyles.
“This declaration by UNESCO marks an important step for Panama, incorporating these construction techniques as a cultural element at risk of disappearance but in an active process of rescue,” stated a release from the Panamanian delegation. [Translated from Spanish]
The country must now develop and fund a detailed safeguarding plan. This plan will focus on transmitting the specialized knowledge to younger generations and revitalizing community engagement with the practices. UNESCO will provide technical support and international visibility to aid these efforts.
A Living Heritage of Community and Ecology
Wattle and daub construction is not merely an ancient building method in Panama. It remains a living tradition in several provinces and rural sectors. Families and communities continue to build homes using materials harvested directly from their local ecosystems, including specific trees, soils, and plants. The process represents a profound model of social solidarity and shared labor.
During a ‘Junta de Embarre,’ neighbors, extended families, and knowledge bearers come together to erect or repair a house. The event transcends construction. It becomes a social gathering where participants share food, traditional music, songs, and oral histories. The techniques and rituals involved have been passed down verbally and through practice for generations, creating a strong, intergenerational bond within communities.
The nomination submitted by Panama’s Ministry of Culture (Panama) emphasized this holistic value. It highlighted the historical significance, the sustainable material sourcing, and the irreplaceable community work that defines this ancestral building system. The practice is seen as a cornerstone of cultural identity for many Panamanians.
The Race Against Time to Preserve Knowledge
The urgent safeguarding classification is UNESCO’s highest level of alert for intangible heritage. It signals that the viability of a cultural practice is threatened, and its continued transmission is no longer guaranteed. For Panama’s wattle and daub traditions, the primary threat is the dwindling number of master builders, or ‘portadores,’ who hold the complete, nuanced knowledge of the craft.
Younger generations often migrate to cities for education and employment, showing less interest in learning labor-intensive traditional construction. The widespread availability of modern building materials like concrete block and steel also undermines the economic and practical incentives to maintain the old ways. Without active, targeted intervention, the specialized skills required to select materials, prepare the daub mixture, and execute the construction could be lost within a few decades.
Panama’s delegation at the UNESCO meeting in India included experts from the Directorate of Cultural Heritage, a practicing knowledge bearer, and representatives from the Panamanian Embassy and the Legislative Assembly. Their presence underscored the national priority assigned to this cultural rescue mission.
“The request for recognition made by the Panamanian authorities highlights the historical value, its processes, materials from the ecosystem of trees, lands and plants, as well as the community work of this ancestral construction system,” the cultural ministry noted in its announcement. [Translated from Spanish]
This international recognition can potentially unlock new avenues for preservation. It may lead to educational programs in schools, workshops led by master builders, and cultural tourism initiatives that provide economic value to the tradition. The goal is to make the knowledge relevant and valuable in a contemporary context.
Next Steps for Panama’s Cultural Policy
With the inscription official, the real work begins for the Panamanian government and civil society groups. They are now obligated to follow through on the detailed safeguarding plan promised in their nomination dossier. This plan typically involves comprehensive documentation, the identification and support of practitioners, and the promotion of the heritage through formal and informal education.
Funding will be a critical component. The government may need to allocate specific budgets for preservation projects, potentially offering grants or incentives to communities that choose to build or maintain structures using traditional methods. Integrating this heritage into national and local development plans will be essential for its long-term survival.
The listing also places Panama’s traditional architecture on a global stage alongside other endangered practices on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage urgent list. This visibility can foster international academic interest, research partnerships, and knowledge exchanges with other countries facing similar preservation challenges. It transforms a local practice into part of a shared global human heritage.
For communities that still practice the ‘Junta de Embarre,’ the UNESCO decision is a powerful validation. It acknowledges that their way of life and their collective labor hold value beyond mere utility. It recognizes their knowledge as a sophisticated cultural system worthy of respect and protection in a rapidly changing world. The success of this safeguarding effort will depend heavily on their continued active participation and leadership.
This cultural milestone occurs as Panama grapples with other pressing national issues. Recent reports, like a telemetro reporta on urban waste management challenges, highlight the complex balance between development and sustainability. Meanwhile, news of legal actions against former officials, such as the apprehension of ex-sports director Hector Brands, continues to dominate headlines. Against this backdrop, the UNESCO designation offers a narrative focused on preservation, community, and national pride.
The coming years will test Panama’s commitment to turning this international recognition into tangible, on-the-ground action. The world will be watching to see if the ‘casa de quincha’ can be saved from becoming a relic of the past and instead remain a living, evolving part of Panama’s future.