“El Tembleque de Panamá”

A tembleque is a traditional Panamanian hair ornament, usually worn by women during festivals, folkloric dances, and special occasions. They are often handmade with beads, pearls, or wire, arranged in intricate, floral-like designs that “tremble” or move when the wearer dances; hence the name tembleque, which comes from the Spanish verb temblar, meaning “to tremble.” Tembleques are especially iconic in Las Tablas, where the vibrant festivals and cultural heritage inspire many artisans.

I’m from Las Tablas, Panama, and for this piece, I wanted to celebrate that heritage by creating an armpiece entirely out of tembleques, along with a matching knuckle ring. Using these traditional, delicate ornaments in a new context allowed me to explore movement, texture, and cultural storytelling in wearable art.