Mola Art, also called Kuna Mola, is an amazing creation by the women of the Kuna or Cuna tribe from Central America.  Living directly on the San Blas Islands of Panama, these women create some of the most gorgeous pieces of art imaginable.  Using a special appliqué process called “reverse appliqué” the women take numerous layers of cloth, each of varying color.  These layers are then stitched together loosely while the top layers are fine-tipped cut with special scissors.  The cut edges are then folded back at which time they are stitched to the bottom layer. 

The word Mola translates into “blouse”.   Although Mola Art was originally artwork done on women’s blouses as a means of adding beautiful color and design, today you will find Mola Art done on more than just blouses and in many cases, used as an actual form of art that is framed and proudly displayed.  The wonderful aspect of the Mola pieces is that they are all so unique and vibrant.  Women have the freedom to create beautiful designs of nature, which today, has become an increasingly popular type of apparel worn in the United States, Europe, and Asia.  Click here to read more.

Nestled in the Sierra de Nayarit, just north of Guadalajara, Mexico, you will find approximately 12,000 Huichol (Wee-Chol) Indians, a tribe believed to descend from the Aztec Indians.  This area of Mexico is remote and rugged, and home to one of the last tribes to exist under the Spanish rule.  The Huichol Indians still follow pagan beliefs, consider deer a sacred animal, grow corn, which is thought to be the source of all life, and use a form of communication called peyote.  Because of this, the core of the Huichol Indians consist of deer, corn, and peyote. 

As a very religious and isolated group of people, they express their feelings through art.  So incredible is the Huichol bead art that most consider it a powerful decoration more than a profound religious statement.  As a part of this art, you will find yarn paintings, wooden masks, woven or embroidered adornments, and the most beautiful of all, the incredible bead work, which is thought to have been created for more than 200 years.  Keep in mind that this tribe has its own culture, traditions, and language, meaning the Huichol bead art created is like nothing else in the entire world.  Click here to read more.