Kuna vases

Art is the first book of history, religion, science -life, and in many cases, it reminds us of the similarity of all life, no matter time or space separations.

It is that village scribe who documents history, telling of the first people. In many cases it is the main clue used for dating archaeological sites, and marking historical events. It documents and illustrates doctrines, religions, even war. And all this was reinforced by the Mola artwork of the Tikuna Indians - a Chibca ethnic group that now lives in the border between Panama and Colombia, but are considered descendants of the earlier people who once lived on the north coast of South America and the Caribbean - recently on display at the Colombian Embassy, 53 Knutsford Boulevard.

Kuna wall hanging and prints

For those who believe that each civilisation is insular, the Kuna's Mola artwork, like many other civilisation's, shatters that belief. Their designs which, according to embassy officials, were first noted as body paint in the 16th and 17th century and which are now used as appliqué adorning items of clothing and hung as art, share many similarities with some Yoruban artwork. Like the Yorubans, Egyptians, Ethiopians and in fact all early civilisations, the Kuna's major inspiration was nature. And so birds, and fish are dominant characters and like the Yorubans, red orange, yellow, black and blue are common colours.

Also like the other civilsations predating Greece, the Kuna's representations were simple, but yet very symbolic expressions of their jungle and village life reality that sometimes may seem abstract, but in fact represent the creation that emits from observing nature and adding their understanding and interpretations of it.

The designs, that are more in the abstract vein, such as the yellow, black and red Labyrinthian could easily be markings from other eastern and possibly African civilisations. But enough of hammering the truth that art proves the connection between all humans and more on the Kuna's Mola.

According to Colombian consul, Carlos Valero, the Kuna is a matriarchal society, where inheritance follows the female line, daughters are favoured and women were the painters and artists - a sign of their privileged position. So the women's bodies and dresses were decorated with designs and ornaments that demonstrated their privileged position.

There are some elements of continuity and change concerning the Mola. Today's Kunas still use designs from the early 1900s to create art on mainly cotton fabric, but according to Valero, it's been at least 90 years since the Molas have been

used as garments. Instead they are used as wall hangings, pillow covers, curtains, place mats and hats. Perhaps this may soon change, judging from the renewed popularity of ethnic prints on Afghans and shift tops.

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