Ngäbes complete entrepreneur course

Entrepreneur Grad class

Ngäbe Entrepreneur graduation 2025

There were 100 participants in the Ngäbe Enterpreneur graduation, but not all the Ngäbes could travel to David to attend- too far from their homes or not enough money for travel fare. About 30 attended and were very happy to receive their diplomas! The event center held an event for the Ngäbes in addition to the graduation. See our Cleft of the Rock Ministries for the Ngabe people. We are starting our 14th year, 2026.

Ngäbe host

One lady leader who spoke English, Spanish, and Ngäbere languages was the host, and she demonstrated the cacao ritual and the choosing of a name, where the regions have to agree on a special name for someone. She said sometimes it can take days before all the people who are representing the different regions agree on a name. Check out NGÄBE-BUGLÉ NATION for info on the ProEducann group that helps their people.

Inclusion of a Gringo!

I had the privilege of being chosen, while attending the graduation, to participate in the cacao ritual and taste the drink. Four of us were chosen and sat in chairs, followed the ritual, and were told when to drink it. Afterwards, others were also invited to drink.

I also was enjoying the dancing three of the group performed. Then, to my surprise, I was chosen again to dance! One of  the ladies was so gracious and helped me! She told me when to listen to the leader change his shaking device, and that is when you change steps. It was really fun and fast! I have videos of the dancing of the Ngäbes in contests on my site, but I never dreamed I could be part of one.

Entreprenur teachers and sponsor of event.

           Leaders of the Ngäbe Entrepreneur graduation event                           

Ngäbe children learn uses for Comarca natural plants 

Making use of plants
Making crafts from plants
Plant craft items
Various crafts from plants

The Ngäbe children learning about plants on the Comarca and how to incorporate them into their culture was the objective of Mitziti Tugri. She travels the Comarca to various regions to teach the children how to use the plants to make crafts. One woman I met at a fair on the Comarca used plant fibers to make hammocks! The Ngäbes learn how to dye the fibers and use natural materials to make things like women’s purses called Kra while the men use plant fibers to weave into hats.