Panama Canal Museum

2008 Santa Claus Mola Christmas Stocking

The 2008 Santa Claus Mola Christmas Stocking, dangling from a berry – accented wreath, is the seventh in a series of limited, collectible ornaments designed exclusively for the Panama Canal Museum. The mola reflects the unique artistry and culture of the Kuna Indians of Panama and was chosen as this year’s theme in keeping with the museum’s practice of depicting historical aspects of life in Panama and the former Canal Zone. 

The Kuna Indians are known throughout the world for their colorful and intricately hand sewn molas; their innate sense of beauty is evident in the composition of these artistic depictions of their way of life. Most Kuna Indians live in a territory called Comarca Kuna Yala in the San Blas Archipelago, a group of 365 small islands on the northeastern Atlantic coast of the Republic of Panama. The Islands, with white, sandy beaches surrounded by sparkling blue/green waters are rich with exotic flora and fauna, often the subject of molas.

The roots of the mola stem from women painting their bodies with geometric patterns. As outside influences visited the Kuna, the body paintings evolved into layers of cloth panels that revealed themselves as designs were cut and stitched using a reverse applique process. These panels were then mounted onto cotton shirts which became a part of what is currently accepted as the Kuna women’s traditional dress. 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.

Each mola is an absolutely unique creation. The artist, typically female, uses various inspirations from her environment as well as from her own psyche to provide substance for her artwork. Images of various birds, insects, fish, jaguars, and other jungle creatures may decorate mola canvases. The artist may choose to depict scenes from everyday Kuna life or create images from dreams or her imagination. The Santa Claus mola stocking used in the 2008 ornament is an exact image of an original mola sewn by one of the Kuna Indians. The fact that Santa Claus’s face is depicted with an indigo hue may reflect the perception of its creator in its artistic design.