Building the Community Foundation with Mahjong Tiles

I often receive emails from folks who have recently moved into the Pacific beach area and want to know how to meet people and participate in the community. One club that fits the bill on both counts is an informal group of people who gather 3 times a week and play an ancient Asian game called Mahjong.   The game, described by Christina Cavallaro in her book, ‘MAH-JONGG from Shanghai to Miami Beach’ is more about community and less about competition. She says, “Across cultures, ages and styles of play, the most common thread is the camaraderie and social bonding the game fosters in the spaces between hands.”    

Indeed, families and friends through the ages have gathered around tables and storied their lives over the smooth tiles of a Mahjong game. Here in Coronado, a new community is discovering itself. Bonds are being built, just as they have through the ages over the beautiful tiles of a Mahjong set.

The games here, on Panama’s Pacific Coast were started by Deborah Turl, a retired US Psychiatric Nurse and dietician who moved to Panama from Peoria, Illinois. ‘Deb’, as she is known in the community, was a Mahjong enthusiast long before she moved to Panama. Deb learned how to play mahjong from a woman who gave lessons at the Tokyo-American club in Tokyo and brought the game to Peoria. “Mahjong players want to play, so they set out to teach others, in order to have people to play with. When we moved to Panama, we did the same.”

Deb teaches and plays a form of Japanese Mahjong.  “When new players come we play open hand. We give basic instructions that allow people to sit down and play almost immediately. You learn more with every game. Players learn here and then take it to their own neighborhoods to teach others and set up games themselves. In San Carlos there is now a Spanish speaking group that plays regularly.”

Deb’s Mahjong group plays three times a week around the Coronado area. The group has been playing for almost a year. “We have about 20 people playing in any given week. People come and go” says Deb.  The group sees old and new residents of an expatriate community as the population moves through life on Panama’s Pacific coast. The mahjong players are a form of support for newcomers navigating their way in a new culture. New comers serve as a compass point to the more seasoned residents, a reminder of a different pace. Information is exchanged, connections are made and most importantly trusted friendships are established. “Our games are a good way to integrate into the community”.

“Mahjong is addictive,” Deb says “It’s hard to say Mahjong is like any other game. Some people equate it to gin rummy.  The game has many different styles of play. We use an instruction book which I’ve created. When a player begins, I send them the first lesson and have them come.  Although it is a complex game, it can be learned in steps.  You can start playing with this group right away.  We can start anybody at any time. We have enough good players that we can induct new people into the game very easily. While the game is strategic there is also the element of luck. Anyone can play and anyone can win. With Mahjong you are learning continuously. You also pick up a lot of Spanish at our games.”

Not only is this Mahjong group creating a wonderful sense of community among its players, the group also supports the greater community of Panama by collecting donations for the School Uniform Project. While education in Panama is free, children at the elementary and high school level require uniforms to attend. This requirement is often the only thing in the way of a poorer child receiving an education. Mahjong players donate $1 at each game which goes towards the purchase of a school uniform for a Panamanian child. “Our players purchase anywhere from 6 to 9 uniforms a month”. Mahjong donations are handed over at the monthly general meetings to the Coronado Social Association, who run the School Uniform Project. Last Christmas the group got involved in raising funds to donate food to handicapped children.

 To learn how to play Mahjong or join a game, please contact Deanna at bordendeanna@yahoo.com or Sharon at rennie2x@yahoo.com. We are currently meeting on Tuesdays from 10:00am to 12:00 and Fridays 1:00pm to 3:00 at Coronado Golf & Beach Resort in the La Terraza restaurant. Games are open to all.