What do the designs on Molas represent?
These small appliqued triangles symbolise the shape of the bamboo huts, being the home of the Kuna. They represent being protected by the family. The vertical slots imitate the sun beams shining through the bamboo walls of traditional Kuna homes. They also mean being protected by the family.
How do Kuna people make mola designs?
To make a mola, a woman first stitches together layers of cloth, then cuts out patterns in the top and middle layers to reveal the underlayers of colored cloth. She then folds over and stitches the edges of the cut patterns, often with brightly colored thread, which adds to the design.
How are the designs of the Molas?
Molas are handmade using a reverse appliqué technique. Several layers (usually two to seven) of different-coloured cloth (usually cotton) are sewn together; the design is then formed by cutting away parts of each layer. The edges of the layers are then turned under and sewn down.
What does mola mean in Kuna?
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.
Where do molas have their origin?
Molas, a traditional textile craft, are made from layers of colored fabric that are stitched and cut using applique techniques to create patterns and pictures. They originated in Panama, with the women of the Kuna tribe in the San Blas islands.
What is a mola embroidery?
mola, type of embroidered woman’s outer garment, worn as part of the blouse by the Kuna Indians of the San Blas Archipelago, off the eastern coast of Panama. The mola’s brightly coloured designs, done in reverse appliqué technique, traditionally are abstract, often based on the patterns of brain coral.
What language do the Guna speak?
The Guna language is an aboriginal American language of the Chibchan family spoken by 50,000 to 70,000 people. Dulegaya is the primary language of daily life in the comarcas, and the majority of Guna children speak the language. Although it is relatively viable, Guna is considered an endangered language.