The original name of the municipality is “Prinsu Awala”, this name comes from the Prinsus Indians, of Sumo-Mayangna origin and means “River of the Prinsus”; It was the first indigenous Prinsus people, who settled in this territory and settled on the banks of this river, forming the first community called Wankluwa.
They were later evicted by the Miskito Indians in 1860.
As of this date, the Miskitos were the ones that inhabited this territory, until today, this ethnic group being the predominant one in the municipality, followed by those of the mestizo ethnic group.
Prinzapolka, at the end of the 70th century, was an emporium of logging, banana and mining companies, which made use of the natural passage of the Prinzapolka River, making it the main means of communication and transportation for timber, banana and mining production (gold, silver, copper, zinc), of the time, until the XNUMXs; that were extracted by North American companies.
Prinzapolka Pier
The head of the municipality is Alamikangban, it is a town where 18 communities are connected by river, located along the banks of the river, with almost 15 thousand inhabitants, most of them Miskito who subsist basically on fishing and hunting activities.
Artistic expressions and manifestations
Miskita Dance Kim Pulanka: (dance of the buzzard), currently it is carried out only in the communities of Alamikangban and Limbayka.
Sihkru Tara dance: (ceremony in memory of the dead), Sihkru Tara Binational Cultural Festival; Sihkru Tara is an event of great significance for the Miskito people, it is a religious ritual performed in honor of deceased loved ones.
The Maskaret Mairen and Waitna Danska: It consists of a costume ball, taking place in almost all Miskito communities.
Craft trades
Artisanal fisherman, is the traditional ancestral activity, the inhabitants of the coastal areas (sea, rivers and lagoons), are dedicated to artisanal fishing, mainly shellfish and turtles.
Craftsmen work with wood, shells, pine needles and coconut.
Other traditional trades that stand out in the municipality: healer, midwife, sobador, snake bite curator, botanist, spiritualist, farmer, producer, hunter, riverbank carpenters -who make boats, boats, canoes, etc-, carpenter, cabinetmakers, shoemakers, saddler, blacksmiths, baker, seamstress, tailor, hairdresser, bathing suit for the dead, coffin decorator and singer at wakes and novenaries.
Legends
In the Miskito town: witika (owner of the forest or mountain); dujindu or swinta (goblin); lasa saura (evil spirit); latawira (banshee) and liwa mairin (the mermaid).
Local figures who have contributed to the history and culture of the town
Sylvester Zuniga: in the 80s he organized the music group Saumuk Raya, which means “New Seed "It was the group that represented the municipality at the local, regional and national level; at that time very famous for his Miskito musical creation.
They arise from the cultural support of Commander Tomas Borge, who organized them into a musical group, which became a memorable group. This musical group was a very important historical reference, which is still remembered by the settlers with much love and much nostalgia. Don Silvestre still lives in Prinzapolka. The music remains in the memory of its people, as very well known from the time. They released the song Banana, so popular today among folk dance groups.
Tour on the Prinzapolka River
Other sites of historical and cultural interest
Tulan Bila Community: It is a Miskito community located on the southern coast of Prinzapolka, it was founded between 1600 and 1700 and inhabited by different indigenous groups that settled on the banks of the Prinzapolka River. It still preserves its culture and traditions.
Miskito and Sumu indigenous communities, in which you will be in contact with the population, one of them is Walpasisca, where you can make cultural exchanges with the inhabitants, know the places that are in the city, go hiking, observe flora and fauna, among others.
Prinzapolka Pier: walk and appreciate the sunset in this place that will fill you with peace, also here you can interact with the people who visit the place, and more activities. It is located 10 minutes from the urban area.
Las Minas Industry: is responsible for the extraction of wood, especially precious wood: pochote, medlar and cedar. Here you can take an interesting tour where they will explain the management plans and how the wood is extracted in the region and its commercialization. It is on the main road of the municipality.
Sawmills: They are dedicated to the extraction of pine forests, these sites have management plans and here you will learn about this practice widely implemented in the municipality, you can also observe flora and fauna and tour the pine forests. Located on the main road of the municipality.
Crafts
The main craftsmanship of the Prinzapolka settlers is the construction of pipes, made from large tree trunks, usually royal cedar.
They also make various tools for fishing and hunting, such as nets and harpoons. It is an activity of artisan production of elements for practical and functional use.
Manufacture of handicrafts in tuno, coconut, wood and shells in the Miskito people.
Production of kitchen implements and daily use of the Miskito people: grater, kuwa, unuh (mortar), tuwaku mina, unuh mihta, wasbut and wabul dusa.
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