European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 26, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A amps photos by Gary Miller Indian made Molas Panama s Little secret although Molas designs Are usually simple some feature More Complex patterns. Most of the colourful cloths depict creatures and scenes from their creators lives. The Bright colors and often simple designs suggest the work of a child with a new Box of crayons but the technique and stitchery used in making the cloth creations known As Molas elevate them to an exalted status in the world of native handicrafts. The word Mola Means clothing in the language of the Cuna indians of the roughly 360 san Bias islands near Panama. But the term usually refers to panels of cloth generally about 14-by-16 inches and decorated with images of tropical Birds and animals mythical creatures or abstract designs. Cuna women the artisans who make Molas Wear them sewn to their blouses. But they also paint Black lines from their foreheads to nose tips and Wear thick Gold nose rings a fashions that have never caught on even locally., and indicate that their tastes Are not always Worth following. To create a Mola a Cuna Artisan employs a reverse applique technique in which she sews several layers of brightly coloured Cotton cloth together. She then cuts her design through to whichever layer has the color she wants in a particular area of her Mola folds the edges of the fabric Back and sews it to the layers beneath it. Molas Are sold in Panama City tourist shops As Pillow cases and handbags or As works of Art All ready framed for hanging. More elaborate designs can take a month or More to make and Cost hundreds of dollars. But plenty of Molas sell for $5 to $20 at tourist shops local department stores native markets and several of the base exchanges at the half dozen or so . Installations in Panama. Cunas have been making Molas for centuries and the Panama canal has brought people to Panama from All Over the world for decades yet Molas Are Seldom seen outside the isthmus. That s just one More reason Why the colourful creations make unique collectors items and much appreciated gifts. A Cary Miller German tourists examine handicrafts including Molas at a souvenir stand operated by Cuna indians. Molas Are Seldom seen outside Panama. March 26, 1992 stripes Magazine t 1