Kuna Indians/Mola Makers Seen In Their Own Habitat: Archipelagos Off the Coast of Panama
This morning, I visited YouTube and just realized that there are quite a few videos of collected molas as well as movies of those who make them, on the archipelago sites off the coast of Panama. I enjoyed watching native Kuna Indian women, with their traditional nose rings and bare feet, making molas and wearing them. Molas are a traditional part of their everyday wear. It is only when tourists began visiting these people, in their remote corner of the universe, that a pattern of trading was established.
I have written extensively about the Kuna Indians and have enjoyed seeing an exhibit at the University of Connecticut, and many years later, one at Dartmouth College. We produced several articles for print publications. Currently, there are two related files on our website: Quilter’s Muse Publications: “A History of Molas,” “Molas and their Makers,” and others. Just key in the word “mola” into the site search feature on the front page of our website and you will be able to access all the articles in which molas are mentioned.”
This photo shows the back of a former mola (blouse). The geometric patterns of this piece are repeating designs, as you can see. It is amazing to see the extent of precision that mola-makers bring to their work.
My favorite musical video on YouTube, on this topic of the Kuna Indians, is called “Memorias de Kuna Yala.” Various villages are featured, as well as celebrations. One is called the “Conmemoracion de Revolcion Tule.” (I cannot put in the appropriate accents for Spanish, in this particular blog interface).
In the bloody Tule Rebellion of 1925, all whites were killed or expelled from Kuna territory. It is interesting to note that the Kuna flag consists of three color bands: a solid yellow fabric with a black swastika flanked by two solid red colors. Clearly, their swastika is not linked to Hitler’s Germany. For more information about the history of the swastika symbol, please visit our website file on that topic.
The names of other YouTube videos that I viewed are:
1) Mola Art from the Republic of Panama
2) Mola Arts and Crafts of Panama
3) Kuna Yala montage
4) Mola Art from Panama
5) The Spirit of the Mola
6) San Blas Indians
7) Kuna Dance
One website that features molas is: www.molaartandcraft.com
I hope that you enjoy this information as much as I did!
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
