Transcript Cuna Indians & Molas

MOLA Art
from the San Blas Islands
Cuna Indians
• The Cuna live on the San Blas Islands,
near Panama, in Central America. They
have no written language, thus no
written history. There is evidence that
their culture dates back to the 15th
century.
• In physical appearance, the Cuna Indians are
generally short, stocky with broad shoulders, and
have small hands and feet. They vary in skin
color.
Cuna Indians are best known for their beautiful
mola designs.
Mola
• is the Cuna Indian
word for blouse but
the term mola has
come to mean the
elaborate
embroidered panels
that make up the
front and back of a
Cuna woman's
blouse.
• Molas consist basically of four pieces of
cotton cloth of various colors. Oranges, reds
and yellows are popular. Black is often used
for its contrast.
The designs come from many sources some from Cuna culture and others from
mainland culture.
The designs include:
• birds
• fish
• animals
• leaves and flowers
• geometric and
abstract patterns
Assignment:
Use layers of construction paper
to make a Cuna Indian Folk art
mola design
Criteria:
• Good Design and Composition
• Good Craftsmanship (neat
cutting and gluing)
• Effective Layering of Colors
Xacto knife Rules:
•Do: Stay seated, be alert & focused;
Hold the knife like a pencil; Turn cutting
surface not knife
•Don't: Walk, talk or play with knife;
Stab with point; Cut anything except project
surface.