CREATE A “MOLA:” FOLK-ART FROM PANAMÁ

Make a mola: a fantastic example of folk-art from Panamá! Beautiful Panamá: the tropical and
mountainous isthmus with coasts on the Caribbean and Pacific that connects the Americas. Off the
northern coast of Panamá, there is a string of idyllic islands (an archipelago) called the San Blas Islands.
The Kuna Indians were driven out of Panamá by the Spaniards in the 1500’s, and took their boats to live
on these islands. They continue to live there today, hunting, fishing, and maintaining traditions. One of
Panama’s best-known handicrafts is the mola, intricate reverse-applique handwork made by
the Kuna, and now an important symbol of their culture.  The layers of brightly-colored fabric form
animals or geometric shapes, and are used to decorate the blouses of Kuna women. In fact, the most
outstanding designs take hours of complex sewing to complete and is a source of status, and a display
of artistic expression and ethnic identity. In the following intricate craft, your kids can make similar
designs out of construction paper.