This colorful textile made by the Kuna people of the San Blas Islands in Panama is known as a mola. Molas form part of a Kuna woman’s traditional clothing with the brightly colored panels applied to the front and back of a blouse. Molas are made of several layers of different colored cloth, which are cut away to form the intricate design, in this case a sea turtle. The layers are then sewn together with nearly invisible stitches. These textiles are the best-known representation of Kuna culture to outsiders, and to the Kuna people are a symbol of ethnic pride.
Categories: Artifacts
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Museum of Anthropology
The Museum is open to the public Tues.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Special arrangements can be made for groups and events.
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