Panamanian Kuna People Costume Doll: "Mola"

This doll is wearing the traditional mola blouse of the Kuna people.

Mola art developed in the San Blas Archipeligo of Panama in the late 1800s, when Kuna women living there had access to store bought yard goods. The word "mola" is a Kuna term that originally meant "suit" or "dress." The term now refers to a finished blouse with rectangular pieces of reverse-appliqued cloth sewn to the back and front of blouse. Geometric molas are the most traditional, having developed from ancient body painting designs.

Many hours of careful sewing are required to create a fine mola. The ability to make an outstanding mola is a source of status among Kuna women. The quality of a mola is determined by such factors as the number of layers, the fineness of stitching, the evenness and width of the cutouts, the addition of details such as zigzag borders, lattice-work or embroidery, the general artistic merit of the design and color combination. 
Source:
http://www.panart.com/molainfo.htm About Molas, Florida State University Isthmian Anthropology Society, 1969. Mola Art, Capt. Kit S. Kapp, 1972, Library of Congress 778-190738