Molas and Their Makers
by Patricia L. Cummings
Some molas are made specifically as souvenirs, "for the trade." These two potholders were captured on film by Betzy L. Smith de León, a vendor of molas in Panama.
The purpose of this file is to share additional information that I have learned since writing "A History of Molas," for this website, and for a print article that was published in The Quilter magazine, November 2004, titled "Molas: Indigenous Wearable Art of the Kuna Indians," pages 86-90. This article will concentrate on the native dress, religious beliefs, and the people themselves, and will include more examples of molas for you to enjoy, within a greater context.
Back of mola (blouse). Usually the front and the back of a blouse have similar design panels, as close as one could get, working with no pattern!
Mola Origins
Molas have been made and worn by Central American women since the second half of the nineteenth century. The mola (a word that actually means "blouse") consists of elaborate stitched panels on both the front and the back, rendered in reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery. To complement the outfit, scarves cover the closely-shorn hair and straight bangs are visible, from the front.
Gold jewelry is worn by the Kuna Indians in the form of bracelets, necklaces, and nose-rings, etc. This contrasts with another ethnic group, the Hmong, who traditionally, has worn a lot of silver jewelry. The traditional dress of the Hmong required the inclusion of panels also created with reverse appliqué techniques. That is why so many people confuse the two distinctly different groups. Keep in mind that at least one scholar suspects that the Kuna Indians and the Hmong people may have had a connection, geographically, at an early time.
Photo courtesy of Betzy L. Smith de León, a vendor of molas in Panama. For contact information for her business, write to me at: pat@quiltersmuse.com
For more information about Molas, please see my original file:
"A History of Molas."
Copyright 2009. Patricia Cummings, Quilter's Muse Publications. All rights reserved. Write to: pat@quiltersmuse.com