How did Panamanian Kuna molas express the Kuna worldview?

The Kuna people of the San Blas Archipelago express their cultural identity and worldview through the mola, a vibrant embroidered garment created using a reverse appliqué technique.1

While the specific origins of the mola are uncertain, scholars suggest that its traditional abstract patterns may represent a continuation of pre-Hispanic body-painting designs. These traditional motifs are often inspired by the natural environment, specifically the intricate patterns found in brain coral. In more recent times, the designs have evolved to include figurative imagery, reflecting a shift in artistic expression while maintaining the garment's significance as a central element of Kuna visual culture.1

Beyond their function as clothing, molas serve as a medium for artistic storytelling and interior decoration, embodying a creative legacy that persists alongside the Kuna's well-documented oral traditions and literature.12