Molas: The Gunayala essence captured by the hands of its artisans

Mola art is an artistic expression created by the Guna people. A Mola is made by hand-sewing a combination of colorful threads on a textile panel. It's a vibrant textile tradition through which they share their own stories and culture. 

This ancient tradition of creating Molas in Guna culture dates first back to body painting where they used natural colors to create geometric drawings. They later transferred these designs onto fabric with the arrival of Spanish colonizers and missionaries, adapting their own traditional body painting into cloth forms - creating the first molas.

The word “mola” in Guna language (Dulegaya) means “clothing” or “blouse.”

The technique they use is called reverse appliqué. Multiple layers of cloth are stacked and parts of the top layers are cut away to reveal the colors underneath. The edges are then finely stitched down. Designs can be extremely intricate, requiring great patience and artistry.

Colors and shapes are used to portray their culture. Traditional mola designs were inspired by nature (birds, fish, plants), Guna cosmology, and daily life. However, over time, molas have evolved to include more modern influences like political themes, pop culture, but always blending into their traditional style as well as maintaining primary elements like symmetry, bold color contrasts and imaginative abstraction.

The cultural importance of Molas has become more than just decorative art. They express identity, stories and spirituality. In Guna culture they are a symbol of resistance and cultural preservation. Culture and colors come together sown by the hands of artisans in Gunayala and it is thought of as a form of art where they capture stories, tradition and their unique connection to nature.

Today, Molas are sold independently as art pieces, framed or made into bags, pillows, wall hangings, and more. Many Guna artisans sell Molas as a source of income, as well as in Panama City and tourist areas. Authentic molas can be distinguished from cheaper imitations by their fine stitching, layered depth, and storytelling complexity.

If you spend some time in Panama City before or after sailing in Gunayala (San Blas Islands), you should definitely visit the Mola Museum https://museodelamola.org/ (MuMo) to immerse some more into this inspiring form of expression used by the Guna culture.