What do the Kuna speak?

What do the Kuna speak?

The main language of the Kuna Indians is Kuna, though they also speak Spanish. Regular interaction with tourists helps them to speak a little English.

Where do the Kuna come from?

Kuna, also spelled Cuna, Chibchan-speaking Indian people who once occupied the central region of what is now Panama and the neighbouring San Blas Islands and who still survive in marginal areas.

Where do the Kunas live?

San Blas islands
Kuna live mainly on the San Blas islands and in some settlements on the Colombian border at the edge of the Darién National Park. The great majority of the population are spread over 38 islands, each with their own distinct traditions and led by a chief (saila) who is both a political and spiritual leader.

How do the Kuna Indians survive?

The Kuna mainly survive by fishing and harvesting fruits, especially coconuts. The Kuna’s also create art on their bodies and clothes that they call Molas. The main language spoken by the Kuna’s is Kuna but they also tend to speak Spanish and some of them which have been in contact with tourist speak English.

What do Kuna people drink?

cocoa drink
The Kuna, who live on the San Blas Islands off the coast of Panama, still harvest and prepare their native cocoa drink as they have for centuries. They drink a lot of it — 40 cups a week per person, more than any other people in the world.

What is Mola tapestry?

Molas are composed of several layers of cloth worked in a technique called reverse appliqué which is an embroidery technique that is used as well in quilting. It involves layering fabrics, and then cutting away at the top layers to reveal the ones underneath in unique patterns.

What do Kuna men wear?

The Kuna are a conservative society. Despite the extreme heat and island environment, you won’t find anyone wearing a bathing suit or any other revealing clothes. The men typically dress in T-shirts and pants, and the women wear colorful handmade dresses, or tulemolas, bearing traditional molas on their chests.

What do the Kuna tribe eat?

On the other hand, reported daily consumption of food groups varied: fruit (64.9, 95% CI, 58.1–71.4), fried food (46.9, 95%CI 40.0–53.9), cacao (42.9, 95% CI 36.1–49.8), soda (42.7, 95% CI 35.9–49.6), fish (42.5, 95% CI 35.7–49.6), junk food (10.9, 95% CI 7.0–15.9), and vegetables (9.0, 95% CI 5.5–13.7).

What do Kuna people eat?

Why did the name change from Kuna to Guna?

Etymology. Guna Yala in Kuna means “Land Guna” or “Guna Mountain”. The area was formerly known as San Blas, and later as Kuna Yala, but the name was changed in October 2011 to “Guna Yala” when the Government of Panama recognized the claim of the people that “Guna” was a closer representation of the name.

What is Kuna mola?

Mola, a Kuna word, has several meanings: fabric or cloth, shirt or upper garment for men or women, brightly decorated women’s blouses, or colorful layers of fabric, cut and hand-sewn into designs for fronts and backs of Kuna women´s blouses.

What does mola mean in Kuna?

to cover
Mola, the Kuna word meaning “to cover” are hand-sewn, embroidered blouse fronts and backs made and worn by Kuna women. Mola blouse-front designs evolved from body painting, which, in the late nineteenth century, was discouraged by colonial law.

What is the Gunas traditional food?

The most common dish “Tule masi” (literally meaning Kuna food) is a soup whose main ingredients are plantain and fish. It’s also very common for them to smoke fish as a way to preserve it.

Are the Kuna a matriarchal society?

The Kuna have a traditionally matriarchal society, with belongings and property handed down from mother to daughter. The women are the breadwinners of the household and sell their Mola designs, which originated from body painting, to tourists at around 30 euros each.

When was the first mola made?

150 – 170 years ago
Origin of Molas After the arrival of the Spanish the Kuna had access to fabric and they started to transfer their motives onto textiles. The exact date when reverse applique was used for the first time, is not known, but it is assumed the first Molas have been made 150 – 170 years ago.

Where do the Guna people live?

Guna people live in three politically autonomous comarcas or autonomous reservations in Panama, and in a few small villages in Colombia. There are also communities of Guna people in Panama City, Colón, and other cities.