锘� Mola: Traditional Art of the Guna People in Panama, Panama City, Panama

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Mola: Traditional Art of the Guna People in Panama

Mola: Traditional Art of the Guna People in Panama, Panama City, Panama

During my recent trip to Panama, I was surprised to learn that 25% of the country鈥檚 territory is comprised of semi-autonomous indigenous regions called聽comarcas. And three of the聽comarcas聽belong to the Guna people (aka Kuna or Cuna). Guna women are easily recognized by their brightly colored clothing and the colorful bead sleeves they were on their forearms and calves. Of the three Guna聽comarcas, Guna Yala is the best known as home of the unspoiled archipelago called the San Blas Islands. (See the separate聽post about my sailing charter聽there.) But you鈥檙e likely to spot Guna women, in particular, throughout Panama鈥攕elling聽molas, a traditional art form now popular with tourists and collectors.

The Guna are a matriarchal society鈥攎en take their wives鈥� names and move in with their wives鈥� families. There are about 62,000 Guna living in Panama, chiefly on the聽comarcas. About 1,300 more live in small villages in nearby Colombia.

After Panama declared independence from Colombia in 1903, it took steps to control and modernize indigenous communities. Notably, Panama tried to eradicate Guna women鈥檚 traditional form of dress. But the Guna people resisted and eventually rebelled in 1925. Ultimately, the Guna agreed to end the fight for independence. In exchange, Panama promised to honor and preserve Guna culture. The establishment of self-governing聽comarcas聽stemmed from that agreement. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
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Guide Name: Mola: Traditional Art of the Guna People in Panama
Guide Location: Panama » Panama City
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: David Dummer
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
  • Paseo Esteban Huertas
  • Plaza Carlos V
  • Mola Museum (Museo de Mola)