These Cuna women chat at the entrance to their house, where they are protected from the sun's rays. The Indian women love jewellery. Apart from the small gold-plated nose ring, they also wear tight-fitting bands of coral beads on their arms and ankles. On the wall of the house hang various coloured and richly decorated molas, the main product of the Cuna women's handicrafts. In the society of their matriarchal group, women play a considerable role. The onset of puberty of the daughters, for example, is an important event and the occasion for a lively celebration in which all members of the community participate. The puberty of the boys, on the other hand, takes place without any fuss. The young husband lives in his wife's house and has to help his parents-in-law. - 1977
