Gunadule Community
2000
Indigenous people belonging to the Tule community in Colombia
cuna
Language originating from the Chibcha linguistic family
0,2%
Part of the indigenous population of Colombia
Who are they?
The Gunadule Indigenous People
"In the cultural expression of a people lies the inescapable seal of the essence of freedom, dignity and respect as a people."
This saying comes from the Gunadule Indigenous People, located in Urabá Antioqueño, on the border between Panama and Colombia. The women of this community entirely handcraft the primary raw material for our company.
The women of the Gunadule Indigenous Community are the artisans of the molas and wear them on their chests, sewn onto their blouses. They are the custodians of an extraordinary and complex technique.
What are the molas to the community?
Mola comes from the Kuna word Mor, meaning dress. The mola is the garment that Kuna women wear in their daily lives. They live along the Atlantic Coast of Panama and Colombia.
The mola is made entirely by hand with fabric. It is an appliqué technique of layered fabrics in various colors, cut and sewn to create beautiful geometric or zoomorphic patterns with cultural and religious significance.
The fusion of molas with leather results in vibrant products that highlight Colombia's purely artisanal craftsmanship.
Molas have always been a part of the Gunadule people. According to legend, the designs were hidden in the galus, sacred places in the different layers of the universe. Many community leaders tried to enter, but only one woman, a member of the neles—the spiritual guardians, guides, and influential decision-makers of the Gunadule—was allowed to enter.
Within the vast variety of molas, the Gunadule sages identify two main types of designs:
Naga molas, protective molas with geometric designs abstracting elements of nature and the Goaniggadi molas, figurative designs that depict everyday life activities.
Through our products, we aim to tell the story of the Gunadule community, whose women carry the ancestral art of handcrafting molas. These creations hold meanings that transcend protection for their members and represent their daily lives through figures and layered, hand-sewn fabrics—a technique passed down through generations within the community.
Luz Castro
Founder
