Comarca de Kuna Yala - Panama - page 427

One of the biggest holidays in Kuna Yala is the commemoration of the anniversary of the
Kuna Revolution of 1925 on February 25. It marks the day when the Kuna rebelled
against the Panamanian police occupying the islands, and expelled them from the Co-
marca. On Isla Tigre this event is remembered through an emotional reenactment of the
rebellion.
Nogagope DANCE
The Nogagope celebrates a traditional dance and takes place from October 10 to 12 on
Isla Tigre. The event is marked by communities from outlying islands converging on the
island and dancing for three days straight. The event is proceeded by a huge feria (festiv-
al) from October 13 to 16 that includes more dancing as well as art expositions and vari-
ous games and canoe races.
Shopping
Molas are the most famous of Panamanian traditional handicrafts. Made of brightly
colored squares of cotton fabric sewn together, the finished product reveals landscape
scenes, birds, sea turtles, fish and beasts - often surrounded by a mazelike, geometric
pattern. Traditional geometric designs are usually valued more than modern ones. Crafts-
manship varies considerably. The simplest are peddled for upwards of $10; elaborate
designs are works of art valued at several hundred dollars. You can find molas on the is-
lands (or, rather, the mola -sellers will find you).
Mola work originated from the transfer of designs used for body painting to the cloth,
particularly on blouses. When the Panamanian government tried to modernize the Kuna
by prohibiting traditional dress, the mola emerged as a symbol of independence. Even
when Kuna schools were administered by Panamanian officials, girls wore special molas
in school colors as a sign of silent protest.
Today, there is a wonderful sense of pride among Kuna women regarding molas . In
addition to being an integral part of the Kuna culture, molas are wholly unique to the Co-
marca.
Molas are classified by differences in the technical process:
Abiniguat One color; refers to a single layer of color sewn onto a base layer.
Obagalet Two colors; refers to two layers sewn onto a base layer.
Mor-Maralet A few colors; refers to two or more layers sewn onto a base layer.
Morgonikat Many colors; refers to two or more layers sewn onto a base layer with addi-
tional filler layers, embroidery and/or appliqué.