You're only as good as your needlework art.
Great skill and talent go into every Mola.
The Kuna women begin to learn the skill when they are very young.
Before the Spaniards came to Latin America with their fabrics and
sewing supplies the Kuna women painted their bodies with mola art.
The missionaries informed the natives they need to put clothes on.
During times of oppression the women kept
their stories, legends, plant medicine and so on
alive through the symbols and pictures of the Molas.
Molas made from textiles began roughly 160 years ago.
The women take much pride in their handwork skill.
Lines and triangles represent
family protection and keeping out evil spirits.
When you visit their islands in Panama you will see
molas everywhere like rainbows of color dancing in the winds.
Status among the women comes from their skill and creativity in the Mola production.
During my current travels, backpacking south from my home
in north central Texas I have visited many markets in
Latin America selling textile goods.
The garments which easily lend themselves to being duplicated
for showcasing a mola, I took photos of.
Using the photos of common tourist wear I am developing
a line of tourist/lounge wear inspired by Molas.
These will be sold in the tourist shop to be built by volunteers and Kunas.
It's exciting to be able to use my 25+ years of fashion industry
background to support the Kuna women.
You are invited to support the
Kuna Love fundraiser
for keeping this community alive and continuing to teach us
while preventing their ancient and core ways
from being watered down into mainstream society.
Preservation of Panama's Indigenous Kuna Ways
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This is great, I'm following you. Hope you enjoy my post too https://steemit.com/art/@afrikablr/my-inner-artist-beka
Steem on! Grateful for the support!!
Great post, we have seen the Kuna's handicraft in Panama and we were impressed by its bright colors and design! Too bad we haven't been able to visit a Kuna community... Happy travels down south!
The Kuna Love project, mas o menos, after one year it will be ready for full-on eco-tourist experiences. The volunteer housing will then become mostly for clients with many less volunteers. We're looking for a balance in sharing their culture, sustaining their ancient culture while bringing in new sustainable upgrades.
Grateful for the support! It would be awesome to see you in the San Blas Islands.
Steem on!