The Kuna Indians live in the Kuna Yala archipelago (also known as the San Blas archipelago). The Kunas have been self governing for many decades with their own territory or "Comarca" in Spanish. They have a complex social & religious structure, but the item that has made Kuna Culture best known around the world is their striking Mola art.
Mola, in Kuna language, is the blouse of the Kuna women’s traditional dress, and is decorated with two complex handcrafted panels (one on the front and one on the back). These panels are made using a technique called "reverse applique".
Mola panels have been collected by museums around the world and are collected by Indigenous Art collectors.
The quality of a Mola is determined by such factors as:
There are a number of good web sites around with detailed information and examples of mola design and production. Try any of the following