Manuel María Alba

politician

Manuel María Alba was a Panamanian journalist, historian, and novelist born in 1891 in Soná, Veraguas. He played a crucial role in the establishment of the Kuna comarca of Bayano in 1932, advocating for indigenous land rights against corporate interests. A self-taught intellectual, Alba authored several works on indigenous cultures and languages, becoming a prominent figure in Panamanian history and literature. His contributions to the preservation of Kuna heritage and rights have made him an important figure in the history of indigenous affairs in Panama.