Day 206: April 22, 2025: San Blas Islands, Panama

The Kuna (also spelled Guna) are an indigenous people of Panama and Colombia. They live on a group of small islands east of the Panama Canal. Our tender boats took us ashore to one of these islands.

Their huts are made of straw and cane, but it was interesting to see that some also had solar panels installed.

Unlike many other Caribbean islands, the Kuna have rejected commercialized tourism. They have turned down offers made by large hotel chains to buy property, and their islands remain undeveloped. Instead, they sell their art directly to the small number of tourists (usually cruise ship passengers) who visit the island.

Mola is a textile art form designed and sewn by Kuna women. It forms part of their traditional clothing; embroidered panels are sold to tourists. Before the arrival of Europeans, Kuna women wore few clothes and instead decorated their body with colorful designs. After colonization by Spain and missionaries, they transformed these designs into textiles. Molas are created using a reverse applique technique, with multiple layers of cloth and very fine stitching.