Christmas carols are compositions of lyrics and music, currently sung during the Christmas season. In some countries, groups of people go through the streets, neighborhoods, homes, schools, and/or shopping centers, spreading the Christmas spirit at posadas (traditional Christmas processions) and filling adults, young people, and children with joy. Originally, this music was sung by the so-called "villanos" (village inhabitants), folk people, villagers, generally rural people, farmers. Historical accounts indicate that initially they were not Christian or religious in theme; they were songs that recounted the daily events of the town or region. The word "villancico" (Christmas carol) originated in the 15th century and was gradually incorporated into the sacred musical tradition in honor of the Christ Child during the Christmas festivities. They arrived in the Americas with the Spanish conquest and evangelization. Christmas carols in Panama are the product of several musical factors that have influenced the region over time, including an affinity with the Spanish tonadilla, the influence of genres from the Iberian Peninsula and Italy, the punto guajiro, and the French contradanza, not to mention the influence of Caribbean rhythms. Today, these older voices and compositions, some based on solemnity and symphonic orchestration, have evolved, acquiring contemporary characteristics specific to Latin America. This work presents a bibliographic investigation as a methodological process that compiles, analyzes, and interprets data from secondary sources to delve deeper into the subject, identifying Panamanian Christmas carols and music as a product of creativity, customs, and tradition.
