Aug 10, 2022 · Panama is a nation full of colorful imagery, from the aquamarine seas lapping at the country’s coastlines to the deep green canopy of rainforests shrouding its interior. But perhaps the most iconic...

What is a Mola? Mola, which originally meant bird plumage, is the Kuna Indian word for clothing, specifically blouse, and the word mola has come to mean the elaborate embroidered panels that make up the front and back of a Kuna woman’s traditional blouse. Typical Molas consist of patterned cotton pieces of clothing.

The Mola or Molas is a hand-made textile that forms part of the traditional women's clothing of the indigenous Guna people from Panama. Their clothing includes a patterned wrapped skirt (saburet), a red and yellow headscarf (musue), arm and leg beads (wini), a gold nose ring (olasu) and earrings in addition to the mola blouse (dulemor). [ 1 ]

What is a Mola? Mola, which originally meant bird plumage, is the Kuna Indian word for clothing, specifically blouse, and the word mola has come to mean the elaborate embroidered panels that make up the front and back of a Kuna woman's traditional blouse.

Nov 14, 2024 · Molas began as the decorative panels worn on traditional Guna blouses, crafted exclusively by Guna women. Originally, these textiles were not just about aesthetics but represented the community’s heritage, worldview, and spirituality.

Traditionally worn with a wrap-around skirt (sabured) and a red-and-yellow head scarf (muswe), molas are an important reflection of women´s skills and Kuna identity. Shown here is a sample of molas from the museum collections, including several "inside" views to illustrate technique. Images © UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History.

Sep 10, 2019 · The Mola Museum is a “virtual museum” dedicated to the art of the Kuna (Guna) Indians. The Kunas live on the San Blas Islands east of Panama, in the Darien region of Panama, and in Colombia. Kuna women make and wear blouses decorated with appliqued cloth, reverse appliqued cloth and embroidery.

Mar 24, 2021 · Mola designs incorporate elements such as flowers, birds, animals, and mythical creatures, but geometric patterning remains a crucial element. The mola has deep ties to Guna identity. In 1918 the Panamanian government began a campaign to subjugate and assimilate the Guna, which included banning traditional dress.

Made in pairs—identical or closely related—mola panels naturally play on the concept of duality. The idea of the double runs deep in Guna belief, and this framework also guides the designs of individual panels.

Jan 5, 2025 · Mola art is a vibrant and dynamic textile art form that is deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of the Kuna people. Its significance extends beyond its aesthetic value, serving as a reflection of the community’s history, identity, and values.