Rufina Alfaro facts for kids
Rufina Alfaro is a very important person in the story of Panama's fight for independence. People say she led a brave march on November 10, 1821. This march helped the people of Los Santos stand up against the Spanish rulers. Even though some people wonder if she was a real person, Rufina Alfaro is a big part of Panama's history. She is even an official symbol of the country!
Her Story
People describe Rufina Alfaro as having black hair and eyes. She had tanned skin and was tall and thin. No one knows exactly when she was born. She was from a nearby village called Las Peñas. Rufina lived with her parents, and they raised chickens and grew crops to sell. She knew how to read and write, which was special for her time. She often wore a basquiña, a common dress from that period. Her village was about two miles from Los Santos. She worked by selling eggs and vegetables in the town.
When she was 22, Rufina Alfaro became very important. She helped create a plan to take over the local police fortress. This fortress was the main place where the Spanish government kept its power. Rufina had become friends with some Spanish soldiers. They liked her because she was beautiful, polite, and cheerful. This allowed her to go into fancy social gatherings.
However, Rufina knew that many people were unhappy with the Spanish rulers. This feeling convinced her that she needed to help her people become free. At that time, the government stopped people from speaking freely. Newspapers were not allowed to print anything against the government. Panamanians who talked about freedom were often threatened.
The leader of the fortress, who liked Rufina, let her visit and chat. Rufina used these visits to gather important information. She felt a bit of sympathy for the soldier. But she put those feelings aside to help her people gain their freedom.
One day in November 1821, Rufina told the independence organizers something important. She said the Spanish soldiers were cleaning their weapons. Instead of going out to sell her goods, she joined a group of people. She led a march and shouted, "Viva la Libertad!" This means "Long Live Liberty!" The people then took over the fortress using stones and sticks. They were able to get the weapons. By the morning of November 10, 1821, they had won their freedom. And they did it without anyone getting hurt!
Some people today still wonder if Rufina Alfaro was a real person. They think she might be a story from people's imaginations. This question has even been discussed in Panama's national parliament.
Her Importance Today
November 10 is now a special public holiday in Panama. It celebrates the day Los Santos declared its independence. A statue was built in Rufina Alfaro's honor in the town of La Villa de los Santos. The famous artist Jose Guillermo Mora Noli made this statue.
In 2002, during an Independence Day celebration, President Mireya Moscoso placed flowers at the statue. This showed respect for Rufina Alfaro. There is also a place called a corregimiento named after her. It is located in Panama's San Miguelito District.
See also
In Spanish: Rufina Alfaro para niños
