The quality of a mola is determined by such factors as number of layers fineness of stitching evenness and width of cutouts addition of details such as zigzag borders, lattice-work or embroidery general artistic merit of the design and color combination.
What makes a mola valuable?
Crossroads Trade molas are priced by quality. The more expensive molas reflect more complexity, outstanding craftswomanship and fine design.
Why is each mola different?
Molas vary greatly in quality, and the pricing to buyers varies accordingly. A greater number of layers is generally a sign of higher quality; two-layer molas are common, but examples with four or more layers will demand a better price.
What is the main concept of a mola?
Meaning of Mola Symbols A main concept in Molas is to leave as little unworked space as possible as the Kunas believe that evil spirits can settle in the free spaces.
What is a mola Where do they come from and how are they made?
Molas, a traditional textile craft, are made from layers of colored fabric that are stitched and cut using applique techniques to create patterns and pictures. They originated in Panama, with the women of the Kuna tribe in the San Blas islands. But they have fans worldwide.
What are traditional molas made from?
Each mola consists of two to seven layers of cotton cloth in the dominant colors of red, black, and orange. Pieces of the top layers are cut out, folded back, and hand-stitched down to expose the underlying colors.
What is a mola design?
A mola is an appliqued fabric panel created by Cuna women, an indigenous people from the San Blas Islands of Panama. The term "mola" refers to a traditional blouse made by women to serve as front and back panels of the blouses they wear everyday. Now molas are also sold to collectors and framed and exhibited.
Why mola is considered the heavyweight and producer?
Mola Molas are as heavy as a car They can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) long and weigh up to 1 ton (2200 pounds). The largest sunfish ever recorded weighed around 2.25 tons (5000 pounds) making it weigh more than the average pickup truck. They are considered the largest bony fish.
Which statement about the purpose of molas are true?
Which statements about the purpose of molas are true? The traditional purpose of molas was to decorate functional items of clothing.
What are molas worth?
In many cases, they are neither the poorest quality nor the best. They are priced from $10 to $50. Learning to identify quality molas is not too difficult.
How do you make Mola art?
To make a mola, you are essentially layering several pieces of fabric, and then cutting away the top fabric and hand reverse appliqueing it, one layer at a time, to the fabric beneath, to create a multi-dimensional, multi-layered piece.
Why are molas made?
Mola panels have many uses. They can be framed as art or made into pillows, place mats or wall hangings. Some people even make them into bedspreads or incorporate them into quilting projects. Molas are very sturdy and well sewn.
Where does Mola art come from?
Molas are a brightly colored textile art created by the Kuna tribe from the San Blas Blas region of Panama. Mola means cloth or clothing in the Kuna language. These panels of stacked cloth are used to make women's blouses. Girls learn to make these at an early age and can spend up to 100 hours making one Mola!
What is mola called in English?
Definition of mola 1 capitalized : the type genus of the family Molidae including solely a large widely distributed ocean sunfish (M. Mola) 2 plural mola or molas : any fish of the genus Mola broadly : ocean sunfish.
What are molas worth?
In many cases, they are neither the poorest quality nor the best. They are priced from $10 to $50. Learning to identify quality molas is not too difficult.
What is a mola from Panama?
Molas are simple yoke-type blouses richly decorated by intricate needlework. Mola can mean the blouse that is daily wear for Guna (previously spelled Kuna or Cuna) women but most often refers to its front or back panel. They have been made for about a century.
What is mola in Spain?
It is used to express something that you like a lot, that's fun, attractive and surprising to the point that you just have to share it with your friends. For example, when someone shows you the new smartphone they've just bought, you say, “¡Cómo mola!” (“Cool!”) Notice that molar is a verb!
What is mola carp?
Production of the mola carplet (Amblypharyngodon mola), a small vitamin A rich fish, has the potential to reduce human malnutrition in Bangladesh. However, although efforts have been made to promote mola culture, the factors affecting its production are poorly understood. Therefore, this study was undertaken to identify factors contributing to mola productivity in polyculture systems. A total 177 farms in three sub-districts of Barisal district, Bangladesh, were surveyed. Production of carp was higher (P < 0.05) in demo farms (3.42 ± 1.64 t ha − 1) than non-demo farms (2.49 ± 1.46 t ha − 1) and also differed significantly ( P < 0.05) by sub-district. The productivity of mola ranged from 0.08 to 0.68 t ha − 1 (mean; 0.26 ± 0.10 t ha − 1 ). Mola yields differed significantly ( P < 0.05) by sub-district, but no significant difference in yields was observed between demo (0.28 ± 0.10 t ha − 1) and non-demo (0.25 ± 0.10 t ha − 1) farms. Annual costs, gross income and net income were significantly different ( P < 0.05) between demo and non-demo farms. A Cobb-Douglas production function model was used to identify which inputs affect fish yields. Stocking density, feed inputs, labor and pond depth were found to significantly affect total fish production, whereas mola production was significantly influenced by inputs of inorganic fertilizer, mustard oilcake, the number of months water was retained in the pond, labor and pond depth. A financial analysis showed the benefit-cost ratio of mola polyculture was higher than 1, indicating the investment efficiency of this technology for rural farmers. The study indicates that application of appropriate inputs could be considered to maximize production of mola in future projects attempting to promote its culture.
Where is Mola Carplet farmed?
This paper assesses the productivity of vitamin A rich mola carplet, farmed in polyculture with carp in Bangladesh, and identifies factors contributing to mola carplet productivity to support the design of attempts to promote mola culture in future.
How is wool determined?
wool quality. Quality is determined by how uniform and defined the crimp of the wool is, as well as how soft the wool is to the touch, the amount of kemp (stiff fibers) that is found in the fleece, and the amount of coarse or coloured fibers. The fineness of the wool will have an impact on the quality.
How is fineness measured?
The fineness of the wool will have an impact on the quality. This fineness is measured in microns (µ) which is an indication of the fiber’s diameter . The smaller the diameter – and therefore micron – the finer the wool will be.
What is poor quality wool?
A lack of uniformity in the crimp, a harsh or rough to the touch and/or the presence of noticeable coarse or coloured fibers or hair.
What is a mola?
A mola is an appliqued fabric panel created by Cuna women, an indigenous people from the San Blas Islands of Panama. The term “mola” refers to a traditional blouse made by women to serve as front and back panels of the blouses they wear everyday. Now molas are also sold to collectors and framed and exhibited. The market for the unique molas has provided an economic benefit for the Cuna Indians.
How to make a Mola?
1. Use colored construction paper to make a mola, starting with a 9” x 12” piece of colored construction paper. 2. Fold the paper in half and draw a recognizable shape, such as an animal, that fills as much of the paper as possible. Cut it out and separate the two parts. 3. Glue both parts to a piece of a different colored paper and then cut out the shapes, leaving ¼ - ½ inch of the underlying paper showing. 4. Repeat this process one or two more times with a different color of paper. 5. Next, glue the two shapes in a symmetrical arrangement on a piece of 12” x 18” black construction paper. 6. Use the scraps from all the shapes to fill the space in and around the main shapes.
Overview
Molas in Guna Culture
Several early influences were a small colony by Christopher Columbus in 1502, a scottish colony established in the south of Darien, 1698, the Calvinist or French Huguenots settled and married some Cuna women, even though they were killed in 1757, then in 1790 a Spanish colony. 2
By 1907, the traditional costume of a Guna woman consists of a patterned blu…
Development of the style
Two groups, Choco a group who lives near the Isthmus known as Darien were the body painters. ,
Molas may have their origin in body painting. In 1514, Pasqual de Andagoya, arrived in Darian and wrote.. the women are very well dressed, in embroidered cotton mantles which extend down so as to cover their feet, but the arms and …
Construction
Molas are hand-made using a reverse appliqué technique. Several layers (usually two to seven) of different-colored cloth (usually cotton) are sewn together; the design is then formed by cutting away parts of each layer. The edges of the layers are then turned under and sewn down. Often, the stitches are nearly invisible. This is achieved by using a thread the same color as the la…
Banning of Molas
In 1919, the panamanian government began a policy of forced assimilation banning mola's dress and nose piercing in women. The government introduced these laws to Westernize Guna society and assert control.
There was a strong link between traditional dress and Guna culture and identity. Molas have such an importance for the Guna people and their traditional identity that they can be considered resp…
Further reading
• Günther Hartmann, Molakana: Volkskunst der Cuna, Panama, Museum für Voelkerkunde, Berlin, 1980 ISBN 3-88609-001-9.
• Kit S. Kapp, Mola Art From the San Blas Islands, 1972.
• Clyde E. Keeler, Secrets of the Cuna Earthmother: A Comparative Study of Ancient Religions Illustrated, New York: Exposition Press, 1960.
External links
• The Art of Being Kuna, from The San Diego Museum of Man. Retrieved February 19, 2006. Link Broken 7/17/19.
• Molas: the Textile Art of Panama, from The University of Missouri. Retrieved February 19, 2006. Link Broken 7/17/19.
• Rainforest Art. Retrieved February 19, 2006. Link Broken 7/17/19.