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Mola Crucifixion San Blass, Panama c. 20th century Textile, 14 x 20 inches The image of the Black Christ occasionally is used in molas. Molas mean dress or cloth but today usually indicate the single panel of a Kuna woman's appliqued blouse, which represent any number of colorful scenes and images. The Kuna are a matriarchal society who live on the San Blass Islands off of Panama. Here, black is an indication of death, and shows Christ as been both dead and resurrected. With eyes open and arms straight across, this is a form of triumphant Christ. The fair hair appears a twentieth century addition that is found in some recently carved crucifixes from Guatemala and may replace the halo. The Black Christ in Central America is separate from the concept of Christ as an African that became part of the African American movement in the early twentieth century and the images of an African Christ that emerged during the colonization of Africa by European countries and that is still found there today. < back | next > |