The Mola Story

The Mola is known as the most famous art produced in Panama which has been hand-stitched by the indigenous Guna people from Panama for more than 100 years. This work of art has been incorporated into their clothing, typically with one mola serving as the front and another mola for the back. The mola is made using a technique called reverse applique. For each color of cloth that is seen, there is a piece of that color sewn into each individual Mola. The theme of the Mola usually portray animals, family life, or cultural designs which are determined by the creative imagination of the artist. The indigenous Guna people of Panama inhabit the San Blas Islands off the north coast of Panama.

The Mola is the most famous art produced in Panama, which has been hand-stitched by the indigenous Guna people who inhabit the San Blas Islands off the north coast of Panama, for more than 100 years.  The mola is made using a technique called reverse applique, meaning for each color of cloth that is seen, there is a piece of that color sewn into each individual Mola. The theme of the Mola usually portray animals, family life, or cultural designs which are determined by the creative imagination of the artist.