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The Kuna are famous for the colorful dress of the women, which includes the "mola"--a reverse appliqué made using various layers of colorful fabric stitched to reveal the various colors (see photo to left). These mola are incorporated as a front and back panel of the blouse. Our primary ministry with the Kuna is to provide encouragement to the three congregations located on the islands of Nargana, Rio Tigre and Playon Chico--working more closely with the pastors of these churches. A Bible school extension was opened on the island of Playon Chico in San Blas in 1997. Five Kuna graduated from this school in 2000. Most recently we have been able to build a church on each of these islands thanks to the ministry of the Pathfinders. Click the links on the bottom of the page for various articles about our ministry to Panama's Kuna Indians. |
The
Kuna Indians are one of a few indigenous (Indian) groups that make up Panama's
population. Most of the 61,707 Kuna (according to the 2000 census) live in
the San Blas Island region, which the Kuna themselves call Kuna Yala (Kuna
Land). There are 48 villages in the region, about two-thirds of which are
populated islands. There are also two other concentrations of Kuna located
near Lake Bayano in the Darien jungle region of southeast Panama. In
addition, many Kuna have moved to Panama City.