Portobelo Festival showcases Panama's diverse traditions

The Portobelo festival, a blend of Catholic and African beliefs, was established in 1999 by the community to preserve their culture in honor of their ancestors (Photo: AP)

The biennial festival takes place in the historical town along the Atlantic Panamanian coast (Photo: AP)

A man, wearing a "devil" costume dance on a wall of the San Jeronimo fort during the Congos and Devils festival in Portobelo (Photo: AP)

A man dressed as a "devil" performs near the San Felipe church during the Congos and Devils festival in Portobelo, Panama (Photo: AP)

Their ancestors were who were escaped former slaves from the Congo known as “Cimarrons” (Photo: AP)

A man lays out devils masks before the start of the Congos and Devils festival in Portobelo, Panama (Photo: AP)

Men take part in the Congos and Devils festival outside the San Jeronimo fort in Portobelo, Panama (Photo: AP)