4,000 BC- Evidence of agriculture in Sierra Nevada (Colombia) where the oral tradition of the Kunas places their origin.
500 BC- Evidence of pottery, statuettes, jewels in Darien, previous territory of the Kuna Indians. The Kuna population is evaluated at 500 to 600.000 souls.
Mola art began in the early 1699, The women worn wraparound skirts, nose rings and beads and they painted their body, the designs were painting on their body not on a fabric.
By the 1700 influenced by the Frenchs who arrived in San Blas and were expelled in 1757, paintings began to appear on the blouses worn by the Kuna Women.
By the late 1800's the womens were wearing skirts and head coverings, as they do to this days. In 1872 the Kunas were clothed in wrapper of blue baftas or stripped cotton of their own manufacturer, reaching from the breast to a little lower than the calf of leg.
In the early 1900s the women's were wearing an extraordinary dress with long chemiselike blouses with a large yoke and small short sleeves made of plain or print fabric.
After the 1930s they begin to wear smaller blouses and shorter, more tighly wrapped skirts.
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Molas Panama bring you a large selection of molas, molitas, handbags, mola blouse, t-shirts, pot holders, oven mitt, coin purses, beaded jewerly and other collectible Art from Panama, Central America. Our products are handcrafted and imported directly from the Kuna Indians Artisan of San Blas-Kuna Yala located off the North Coast of Panama.
We support the kuna's of Mamitupu, Aligandi, Achutupu and other Kuna Communities in the San Blas Islands to help them keep their traditional life and culture. The Kuna women is always responsible for the family income & the sale of molas is one of the most important sources of income for the kuna women to resolve their economic needs.
Studies recently made in Panama indicates that the Kunas are facing many problems, among these problems are: a higher level of poverty in the San Blas Islands and the highest rate of birth, these results places the Kunas communities in a great disadvantage, meanining that their children's will live in poverty homes without no opportunities.
Our mission is to put the Kunas before profit, to buy directly from the Mola Maker Artisan, enabling their community to prosper and to solve their economic needs. I am from Panama and I seen the kunas struggle for many years meanwhile I lived in Panama and to these days the kunas still work hard for their every day needs.
Molas are colourful, intricate, reverse applique, embroidery, needlework with geometric or local animal designs, made of 100% cotton high quality fabric, the fabric has a soft feeling. These traditionals and authentic molas are completely handsewn by the Kunas and the come directly from San Blas (Kuna Yala).
Molas can be incorporated into your quilting or craft projects, home decorating, embellish clothes, they can also be frame, made into pillow, create a beautiful placemat, bedspread or just a delightful wallhanging, put it in a blanket, in your favorite visor, bookcovers, decorate your childrens bedroom with them. They are also perfect to embellish t-shirts, jacket, jeans, purses, hand bags, just use your imagination...
We have been collectors of handicraft like mola, pottery, baskets, Panama Canal paintings for quite a few years and we are pleased to offer a large selection of molas for your viewing and purchase. The items we offer are all authentic, unique and representative of those which we import on a regular basis.
Our Molas will give that distinctive touch to any room, guestroom, or office. Our pot holders and oven mitt will brighten your kitchen. Impress your friends with this exclusive and unique item, no one will have but you!!!
Give your office or house a little touch from Panama.
Don't forget to check out our small molitas "Top Sellers" or our "New Arrivals"
How to do a proper store search for a particular item: Always make sure you are on the store home page before you put the words in the store search box, make sure you have spelled the word correctly. Always try the word of the item that you are looking for in singular and also in plural. Enjoy!!
We sell Superb High Quality Molas at very low prices!!!

Beautiful Kuna Womens in their traditional dresses

San Blas Islands

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