Do you know what a Kuna Mola is? Ask a 5th grader, they know!
I spent my high school years in the Republic of Panama. While there I was introduced to the very rich culture of the Kuna people. Kuna People live in the San Blas Islands of the Republic of Panama and are one of the last known matriarchal societies. Molas are hand-made textile art created by Kuna women. They are usually several layers thick. The designs are created by cutting away parts of each layer to reveal different colored layers below. The process is known as reverse applique. As part of our cultural study this year, 5th grade students created their own molas after studying this unique art of the Kuna people. Instead of fabric, fifth graders created paper molas and used x-acto knives to cut though to reveal layers underneath.
Below you will find photos of a few students creating their molas, followed by some of their finished molas.
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