The Kuna culture is a matriarchal society, with great reverence given to the women, especially the elders.  The women preserve their traditional clothing and ornamentation as a vital means of maintaining their culture.  The most famous part of this dress are the panels of intricately worked cloth that decorate the front and back of their blouse.  These works of art are called MOLAS, and are made from several layers of brightly colored cotton cloth using a technique of cutting and sewing sometimes referred to as reverse appliqué.   The woman in the previous picture was working on her mola and teaching her daughter while we were there visiting.  The Grandmother is fully dressed.