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Why do they call it Mudcloth?
The term “mudcloth” is loosely translated from Bambara, the language spoken in Mali. The handmade Malian cloth dyed using fermented mud, giving it its name-sake. The tradition dates back to the 12th century.
What is a Mudcloth design?
Mudcloth is an intricately patterned textile, and to create these striking designs, the fabric is dyed with- you guessed it- fermented mud! Also called bògòlanfini, mudcloth is a handmade, cotton textile that originates from Mali, West Africa. Traditionally, men weave the fabric and women do the dyeing.
What does bogolan mean in Bambara?
Bogolan literally means “done from mud”, “bogo” in the Bambara language meaning “earth”, or “clay” and “lan” meaning “derived from”. This fabric which requires such a specific dyeing technic has been used for hundreds of years in West Africa. It is found mainly in Mali and Burkina Faso.
Why is mudcloth so expensive?
Though now widely made entirely by men, mud cloth was traditionally hand-spun by men and dyed by women as far back as the 12th century. Because of the intricate and tedious process, yards of the imported fabric can be pretty costly, making any pillows or other home accessories made from the cloth quite pricey.
What is an African mudcloth?
African mudcloth is a traditional Malian fabric that is dyed with fermented mud and plant dyes. Historically, the cloth is sun-dried then painted repeatedly with fermented mud, which chemically reacts with the tree leaves and leaves the cloth a rich brown even after the mud is washed off.
Can mud cloth be washed?
Washing the mud cloth by hand is easy as long as you treat the fabric carefully. Always wash it in cold water, not warm. After the washing process, you can dry the fabric by hanging it, laying it down flat, or steam ironing it. If you’re going to use a steam iron, be very careful.
What is Mudcloth print?
Mud cloth is a centuries-old, hand-dyed textile art that originated in West Africa with the women of Mali’s Bamana culture. Mud cloth is a centuries-old, hand-dyed textile art that originated in West Africa with the women of Mali’s Bamana culture, according to the Smithsonian.
What is bogolan fabric?
Bògòlanfini or bogolan (Bambara: bɔgɔlanfini; “mud cloth”) is a handmade Malian cotton fabric traditionally dyed with fermented mud. It has an important place in traditional Malian culture and has, more recently, become a symbol of Malian cultural identity.
Where is bogolan made?
Mali
Bogolan, also known as bogolanfini, is an African textile whose distinctive technique and iconography have been adapted to diverse markets and materials. The textile is indigenous to Mali, where it has been made and worn for generations.
Why do people wear bogolanfini in Mali?
Consequently, most cloth is now produced by men rather than women, and the traditional year-long apprenticeships have been replaced by short, informal training sessions. In traditional Malian culture, bògòlanfini is worn by hunters and serves as camouflage, ritual protection and a badge of status.
Where was the center of production for bogolanfini?
The center of bògòlanfini production, and the source of the highest quality cloth, is the town of San. In traditional bògòlanfini production, men weave the cloth and women dye it. On narrow looms, strips of cotton fabric about 15 centimetres (5.9 in) wide are woven and stitched into cloths about 1 metre (3 ft) wide and 1.5 metres (5 ft) long.
What is the meaning of the word bogolan?
Bogolanfini is a Ba-mana word that describes this textile dyeing technique; bogo means “earth” or “mud,” lan means “with” or “by means of,” and fini means “cloth.”. Bogolan is unique both in technique and style, which makes the cloth particularly appealing to contemporary artists and designers.
What does the bogolanfini mean in Bambara mythology?
Bògòlanfini patterns are rich in cultural significance, referring to historical events (such as a famous battle between a Malian warrior and the French), crocodiles (significant in Bambara mythology) or other objects, mythological concepts or proverbs.