S.A.M.A.A.P.

(The Society of Friends of the West Indian Museum of Panama) is a civic non-profit organization, which has as its objectives to support and raise funds for the maintenance and extension of the work of the West Indian Museum of Panama. SAMAAP is also dedicated the social and cultural development of the Afro-Caribbean culture.

History of the West Indian Museum

Construction of the Panama Canal

Many West Indians and their descendants remained after completion of the Canal as workers in the Canal Zone.. In the end, many West Indians stayed in the country and added their culture to that of Panama while others returned to the islands or emigrated to the United States.

Getting to Know Your Canal

Panama Canal today

The actual building of the Panama Canal which, unknown to many, was carried out in two phases, brought in a whole new series of factors in calculating the cost of building an engineering marvel of the kind that was inaugurated in 1914 in the tiny republic of Panama.

Conozca Su Canal

West Indian Constuction Workers

Over 100,000 West Indian immigrants would come to Panama to work on the canal. Of those recruited the most came from Barbados who sent almost 20,000 people. This was one-tenth of the total population of the island and 30-40% of its adult males.

West Indian Workers

Modern City of Panama

Our City Under Construction

History of the Westindian Panamanian

1908 a pay wagon for those on the silver roll which were paid low wages in silver Panamanian coins and were generally laborers of color. Those on the gold roll, mostly white, were paid in gold.

History of the Silver People

1 2 3 4 5 6

“Prepare for the FUTURE by knowing your PAST”

The Society of Friends of the West Indian Museum of Panama

SAMAAP Events

XXXII West Indian Fair 2013

SAMAAP (the Society of Friends of the West Indian...

KWANZAA Celebration

Come celebrate KWANZAA and the installation of...

Panama Canal 98th Anniversary Gala Event

The gala event commemorating the 98th anniversary...

Our Mission Statement

SAMAAP (The Society of Friends of the West Indian Museum of Panama) is a civic non-profit organization, which has as its objectives to support and raise funds for the maintenance and extension of the work of the West Indian Museum of Panama. In addition, the organization is also dedicated to supporting and sponsoring activities that contribute to the social and cultural development of the community and feature the best aspects of afro-Caribbean culture.

Friends of the Museum

West Indian Fair at Atlapa

This year’s crowd at the ATLAPA convention Center was bigger than in the past, drawing isthmian residents of all ethnicities and a lot of visitorsfrom abroad, particularly US residents of West Indian descent who trace roots through Panama. We had a great time!