Guna are an Indigenous (native) people who live primarily in Panama. Their name is also spelled Kuna or Cuna. They call themselves Tule or Dule. Tens of thousands of Guna live in Panama, with many living in and around the San Blas Islands. Some Guna also live in Colombia. The Guna speak a language that linguists classify in the same family as that of the Chibcha people, who were conquered by the Spanish in the 1500’s.
The Guna were first mentioned in writing in 1611 by the Spanish, who called them Tunucuna. During the colonial period, the Guna maintained good relations with English, French, and Dutch colonists. The Guna struggled against the Spanish, but by 1800, they were able to maintain good relations. They were never ruled by foreign powers. Today, the Guna people are known for maintaining their customs, traditions, and local power. The traditional dress of Guna women consists of a blouse with hand-sewn picture panels called molas, a headcloth and skirt, a gold nose ring, and beaded wrappings for the arms and legs. Many Guna continue to wear traditional dress as an emblem of Indigenous identity.
Guna communities traditionally lived by hunting and fishing and by collecting edible plants. They also practiced slash-and-burn agriculture. In this system, farmers clear a small area by cutting down trees and vegetation and burning them. The ashes help fertilize the soil. Today, many Guna work in agriculture and fishing and as laborers in Panama’s urban areas. Guna communities practice a combination of collective and individual ownership. Households are matrilocal, which means that newlyweds make their home with the parents of the bride. Individuals can inherit land from either side of the family.
In 1938, the Guna were granted a reserve in the San Blas Islands, a group of about 400 small islands off Panama’s coast. The San Blas Reserve became one of the first autonomous (self-ruling) Indigenous territories legally recognized by the government of Panama. Today, the reserve is called Gunayala or Guna Yala. In 1996, the Guna achieved legal recognition for another reserve, the Madugandi Reserve. In 2000, the government established the Wargandi Reserve, which borders the other Guna reserves and Darién, Panama’s easternmost province.
Guna political organization is based on local and regional congresses. Each community has a saglagan (chief). Sagladummagan (great chiefs) are selected to serve as the Guna’s representatives to the Panama government between congresses.
