People of the World
© Dr. Galen Royer Frysinger
Central American
Kuna Indians, San Blas islands, Panama
The native people living on the San Blas islands are the Kuna indians. They are a small but proud community of around
300.000 people in total. About 50.000 Kuna’s live on the 49 major islands of San Blas and are controlled by their own
community leader called a Sahila. The eldest leaders of the Kuna live on the island Acuadup, this means Rock Island in the
Kuna Language. The leaders on this island make all the main decisions for the other island and they help in trades and
marriages with other Kuna communities. The Kuna mainly survive by fishing and harvesting fruits, especially coconuts. The
Kuna’s also create art on their bodies and clothes that they call Molas. The main language spoken by the Kuna’s is Kuna but
they also tend to speak Spanish and some of them which have been in contact with tourist speak English.
notched log stairs
Kuna Woman
Kuna Woman
notched log stairs
Website of Dr. Galen Royer Frysinger
© Dr. Galen Royer Frysinger
Central American
Kuna Indians, San Blas islands,
Panama
The native people living on the San Blas islands
are the Kuna indians. They are a small but proud
community of around 300.000 people in total.
About 50.000 Kuna’s live on the 49 major
islands of San Blas and are controlled by their
own community leader called a Sahila. The eldest
leaders of the Kuna live on the island Acuadup,
this means Rock Island in the Kuna Language.
The leaders on this island make all the main
decisions for the other island and they help in
trades and marriages with other Kuna
communities. The Kuna mainly survive by
fishing and harvesting fruits, especially coconuts.
The Kuna’s also create art on their bodies and
clothes that they call Molas. The main language
spoken by the Kuna’s is Kuna but they also tend
to speak Spanish and some of them which have
been in contact with tourist speak English.
notched log stairs
Kuna Woman
