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As someone part of an Afro-Panamanian background, let me first say this oc is amazing in terms of body shape, personality, pretty much everything. I'm new to this blog so can I ask if "Mariposa" is an actual nickname of Panama? My grandmother always referred the country as so but I don't know if it's just her personally or if Panamanians actually call it the Butterfly.

( aaaaa anon you’re such a sweetheart im so glad !! ♡♡ Messages like this really motivate me and I’m mega flattered you took your time to send me this and ask me @o@

Answer to the “Mariposa” nickname under the cut;

Now, in terms of the nickname; Mariposa is not a universal nickname for Panama. I can interpret that your grandmother calling the nation so derives from one of the theories about what “Panama” means - meaning Butterfly. There have always been many theories about it however education in Panama defines the name as all 3 major meanings; Land of Many/Abundance of Fish, Butterflies and Trees. 

the “Butterflies” comes from the conception that “Panama” derives from the Guaraní word “Panambi”, meaning ‘butterfly’… Which is a twofaced concept. On one hand this word is real, but the thing is the Guarani language is not native to Panama and that’s the main issue. It comes from Paraguay (vERY FAR AWAY), but during the times that Columbus visited Panama, in the same trip he was also in Venezuela (which also had some Guarani speakers) so from my perspective I think the idea that Panama’s name resembles this native word is understandable but it’s not accurateRather Panama is most likely to lean towards “fish” - Panama City when founded was a fishing village at first, and sources say the city was named so by borrowing the word from the Indians and what they called it, meaning “fish”. I have yet to find which Indians called it so, but it’s reoccurring information that wasn’t proven false so I believe it most.And just a little note* Panama as a country was not called Panama yet, it took the name from the capital’s existing name later.

However, to be fair, Panama the citizens are taught in their education system that the name means all 3 (Butterflies, Fish & Trees) all at once.

None the less the butterfly is a very subtle but very popular symbol of Panama and I think the nickname is absolutely ADORABLE and it’s present a lot in it’s culture, even on native molas and some pollera patterns ( like look at this vintage poster !! So cute; )

But it’s not a universal nickname unlike “Bridge of the World” - which is the question that was asked. Thus calling Panama “the butterfly” is cute but it’s cultural over historical and it’s definitely not unusual, but from what I’ve heard it’s not universal. 

Me not being native; I gave you the logical & historical explanation, often unbiased information. Maybe more locals do call Panama “the butterfly” as your grandma does. Please, if you have time, ask her where she got it from and tell me in another ask because I’d love to learn this detail - I find it very cute ♡ Thank you ! )

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*hands flowers to Al* I got you flowers

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do you get into fights?

The fights: 

(( You can actually adopt Billy if you’re interested, he’s a rottweiler. CLICK HERE. ))

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MARIAS CROWN HAS A LITTLE GUITAR ON TOP THATS SO CUTE ????????

(( I KNOW RIGHT AAAA

You see I used references for it;

It looks like a guitar, they’re pretty popular among these crowns, but I think its a traditional instrument instead ?? like the socavon or the mejorana ? The first picture’s elongated shape looks more like those than a guitar.

bc its so small I can’t tell; but a lil guitar on top is hella cute none the lessomf i love traditional jewellery ))

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(( Yesterday was Seperation Day (Maria’s birthday ❤) but I was too busy to draw something aaaa, either way I never miss the Fiestas Patrias with my muse so I thought drawing a little something would still be good !!

Today in this holiday month for Panama, Nov 4th is Flag Day - which is why I drew her with her flag rather than in the pollera gala (despite her wearing tembleques and their respective jewelry with a stylized dress) ))

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( oh god i havent logged on in forever.............. )

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((have some!! nightmare before christmas doodles bc its spoopy month and I can’t draw!!))

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( to keep my imprint in this fandom i rise once more to post a random drawing before melting back into the shadows

This is a special draw since it's finally me drawing a traditional (native) Pattern to Panama just as important as the Mola or the Pollera patterns, but this one is often more colorful and detailed that I legit shied away from drawing it because i'm so lazy fjhjfj This is the Embera pattern, and i found the reference (i think the girl even has marias boob mole omG) I used for this panamanian outfit when searching for more stylized fashion u3u It's very prominent, and I was happy to find it <3 But ofc I changed some colors; embera patterns are most often even more colorful (like here) so i went with yellow for the top's base, and added hibiscus to the flower crown since its the flower of these native peoples.  

do not use / repost watermarked w/ my main blog )

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( I’m actually going to answer this ask twice because I like it, look forward to the serious reply and enjoy this joke one in the meantime !!

Featuring @ask-p2-america )

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( I’m actually going to answer this ask twice because I like it, look forward to the serious reply and enjoy this joke one in the meantime !!

Featuring @ask-p2-america )

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Cherish her

@ask-la-istmena Bonus: 

(( i was gonna draw the whole scene but i pussied out frfr, this is what my sketches look like ))

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Now that all the guest have arrived,

===================================

//Yeah, no way I’m coloring all that. But, please feel free to send in your questions!

Special guests: @askthe2pgreece​, @askthe2pjapan​, @ask-gupta-egypt​, @ask-slytherin-alfred​, APH S. Korea, @ask-argentinaandfriends​, APH Mexico, APH Spain, @ask-luciano​, @ask-la-istmena, @ask-aotearoaandfriends, @askaustralia, @originalchineseidea, @aph-brunei

Tag: Phili’s summer tour 2k16

rip mun

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( Some more marias, what can i say;;; )

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ur beautiful dream girl maria.... in cute summer clothes.........i Love her honestly??❤️🔥😩

You don’t need to tell me twice !!! ❤ ❤ ❤

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( This is a bulk of messages I got in response to my previous post about people only sending “ur cute” asks, and I don’t think I’ve ever smiled as much while looking through my inbox !

Thank you guys, THIS is what it means to appreciate a blog/character and the fact that any of you took your time to send these sweet messages just makes me extremely happy ❤ There’s enough to the point where I couldn’t respond to them individually (I don’t wanna spam people’s dash) but please know i LOVE you all thank you for this;;;

These motivated me and made me happy. These are genuine compliments towards Maria. Thank you ❤

I’ll try to be more active but it’s difficult (considering I’m graduating soon) but I just wanted to let you all know, using this post, that I’m not ignoring these messages - they made my entire month ! I appreciate them to no end aaa thank you darlings !! )

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Hey, I don't have any questions. I just wanted to say Maria your very beautiful and I hope you have a wonderful day. Bye! <3<3<3

( i get very flattered you guys think maria is beautiful, really its great and i did put effort in her design but…………. she has lots of development too……. can i have asks other than “ur so cute” ???? i sincerely hope looks isn’t the only thing you guys are interested in ? )

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Hi, I'm too nervous to tell you this in person just yet, but I just wanted to let you know that you are my inspiration!!! You have one of the most solid Hetalia OCs in the world and it warmed my heart to see how beautiful your art is. You have done Panama and its culture/history justice! I hope to have solid Hetalia OCs and lovely art like you one day because your quality work is my goal. Stay fabulous!

( Thank you so much darling aaaa <3 It really motivates me, this sweet message made my day ! I’ll try to be more active for you sweet people ;;;; )