Panamanian fritters or bragada originate from Afro-Panamanian cuisine, which perfectly blends its aromatic spices and traditional flavors such as curry and ginger.
How did they arrive?
The spices used in the fritters arrived in Panama thanks to the cultural exchange that took place in 1850 during the construction of the railway.
During this period, immigrants from Trinidad, Jamaicans, and Barbadian citizens arrived, brought here as slaves to work on the construction, remembering that at that time, Panama was under British rule.
On May 30th, King Ferdinand VII abolished the slave trade, and from then on, codfish fritters began to be prepared as a symbol of celebration.
Abolition of slavery
With the abolition of slavery in Panama, a significant cultural exchange took place between the enslaved people and the existing local culture.
From this cultural exchange, what is now known as fritters or bragada emerged. This dish is one of the main foods served during the commemoration of Black Ethnicity Day, a tribute to the old black culture for their important contributions to Panamanian culture, not only in its culinary influence but also in music, art, and dance.
The contribution of the Black community is considered one of the greatest in Panamanian culture, helping to advance and develop the country, enriching and strengthening its cultural identity.
