The San Blas Islands are the indigenous territory of Panama. They’re also known as the Kuna Yala. It’s an archipelago of over 300 islands, and only 47 are inhabited. It has only been within the past few years that these islands have been opened for tourism. The Kuna people live today much as they have for hundreds of years - fishing and collecting coconuts to sell on the mainland, and they still use wooden boats. The women are known for making beautiful molas - layers of colorful fabric stitched together and then pieces cut out to show parts of the layers beneath, then restitched. Kuna is a matriarchal society so women hold a powerful place. These islands are truly a “last of its kind” place in the world, where daily life is much the same as it was before the Spanish explorers arrived in the 15th century.
I took a tender to shore after an early lunch on board. I walked through the village and admired the molas displayed at every grass-roofed home. I did find a wonderful unique piece of artwork - a painted feather - and memorialized the artist with my photograph.
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