(indigenouspeoplesissues.com) Panamanian authorities have recognized legally for the first time the languages and alphabets of indigenous peoples, a measure for the indigenous people themselves will end the persecution they have suffered historically, especially children, to speak their mother tongue.
The new law, which came into force on Friday with its publication in the Official Gazette, “recognizes the cultural diversity and historical value and heritage of mankind” and states that the languages of the peoples NgƤbe, Bugle, Kuna, Embera, Wounaan, Naso TjerdiĀ and Bri Bri parallel to the Spanish will be taught in education.
The enactment of this law is undoubtedly a “breakthrough” for Panama, because it recognizes and appreciates the traditions, culture and language of its seven indigenous peoples, said the poet Arysteides IkuaiklikiƱa Turpana of the Kuna.
“In principle I agree with everything (as provided by law) for many things that are important, and one is that children will no longer be pursued more in schools for speaking the native language, because before the mother tongue always been persecuted and punished children,” he said.
The Indian children were punished by teachers actually meant that their culture was prohibited, he added.
Turpana also considered the moral effect of the measure, which will make the Indians esteem and are “equal to anyone, because not only has a cultural, but also psychological support.”
However, he noted that some provisions of law as intercultural bilingual education were already being implemented in schools like the University of the Americas.