Is it Guna Yala or San Blas Islands? This question often arises when people discuss the Guna region. The name has evolved over time, starting as Dule Nega, then San Blas, and finally Guna Yala. Here, we’ll explore how this change occurred and the historical significance behind it.
The Origins: Dule Nega – The Guna Homeland
Anthropologist M. Martinez explains that the Guna word “Dule Nega” best defines the concept of the Guna territory. In the Guna language, known as Dule Gaya, “Dule” means “Guna people,” and “Nega” means “house” or “home.”
Let’s go back to 1871, when the Guna people signed an agreement with the United States of Colombia. This agreement recognized their land as “Dule Nega.”The decree officially acknowledged that the territory occupied by the Guna would retain this indigenous name (Decree on the agreement’s execution with the indigenous Guna group, January 10, 1871).
With this, the Colombian government recognized the Shire of Dule Nega, which covered territories in both Panama and Colombia, and placed it under a national commissioner.
Panama’s Independence and the Guna Revolution
After Panama’s independence from Colombia on November 3, 1903, the Panamanian government refused to recognize Dule Nega as a separate territory. This led to a division within Guna leadership: some supported the new Republic of Panama, while others wanted to remain part of Colombia. This divide sparked the Guna Revolution in 1925, a pivotal event in which Joe Brown played a key role (which we’ll cover in another article).
Following the Guna Revolution, the Panamanian government formally acknowledged the Guna district by passing Law No. 2 on September 16, 1938. Later, Law No. 16 in 1953 officially organized the district, while Law No. 20 in 1957 declared it a reserve.
From San Blas to Guna Yala: A Return to Roots
In 1998, Law 99 renamed the region from San Blas to Comarca Guna Yala. “Guna Yala” is a phrase in Dule Gaya, with “Guna” referring to the people of the region and “Yala” encompassing the sea, mountains, forests, islands, and air.
So, next time someone asks, “Guna Yala or San Blas Islands?”, you’ll know the answer and understand the deep cultural and historical significance behind the name. We hope you found this article enlightening. Don’t forget to share it and follow us on social media!
