San Blas Islands, Panama
A great day, we started at first light with Zodiac cruises up the Rio Chargoon. Here we saw herons, parrots, tanagers, and a Three-toed sloth. After our ride into nature we went to Acuatupo, which is one of the 365 islands, that are inhabited by the Kuna Indians. Here we were able to shop for molas.
Kuna women are known for their colorful customs which consist of a patterned blue cotton wrapped skirt, red and yellow head scarf, arm and leg beads, gold nose rings and earrings and the intricately sewn Mola panel blouse. Mola panels reflect the synthesis of traditional Kuna culture with the influences of the modern world. Molas developed when the Kunas had access to store-bought yarn goods. Kuna women spend hours sewing Mola panels in a reverse appliqué technique using several layers of colorful cotton.
Here in the picture we see a typical Kuna woman with her stand of Molas. But perhaps one of the most amazing things about the Kuna Indians is their semi-autonomous condition from Panama since 1925. This independence is what makes them leaders in the preservation of their indigenous traditions and the preservation of the natural resources on which they depend.
A great day, we started at first light with Zodiac cruises up the Rio Chargoon. Here we saw herons, parrots, tanagers, and a Three-toed sloth. After our ride into nature we went to Acuatupo, which is one of the 365 islands, that are inhabited by the Kuna Indians. Here we were able to shop for molas.
Kuna women are known for their colorful customs which consist of a patterned blue cotton wrapped skirt, red and yellow head scarf, arm and leg beads, gold nose rings and earrings and the intricately sewn Mola panel blouse. Mola panels reflect the synthesis of traditional Kuna culture with the influences of the modern world. Molas developed when the Kunas had access to store-bought yarn goods. Kuna women spend hours sewing Mola panels in a reverse appliqué technique using several layers of colorful cotton.
Here in the picture we see a typical Kuna woman with her stand of Molas. But perhaps one of the most amazing things about the Kuna Indians is their semi-autonomous condition from Panama since 1925. This independence is what makes them leaders in the preservation of their indigenous traditions and the preservation of the natural resources on which they depend.
