CULTURE
Panama's arts reflect its
ethnic mix. Indian tribes, West Indian groups, mestizos, Chinese,
Middle Eastern, Swiss, Yugoslav and North American immigrants
have all contributed ingredients to the cultural stew. Traditional
arts include wood carving, weaving, ceramics and maskmaking.
Spanish is the official language,
though US influence and the international nature of the canal
zone reinforce the use of English as a second language. West Indian
immigrants also speak Caribbean-accented English. Indian tribes
have retained their own languages. Panama is predominantly Roman
Catholic, but there are sizable Muslim and Protestant minorities
and small numbers of Hindus and Jews.
