African Fabric

African Fabric -Textiles

Adinkra cloth

Adinkra cloth is made by embroidering wide panels of dyed cotton and stamping them with African symbols. There are many symbols, ranging from crescents to abstracts forms; each of the symbols carries it own meaning.The African fabric is produced in Ghana.

Adire cloth this Africa fabric comes from Nigeria. There are two types of Adire. One is made by tie 

Adire Cloth

dying or by stitching a design with raffia. The second method is painted freehand or stenciling.

Batik cloth you make patterns by applying melted wax on the fabric. A design is drawn onto the fabric. To produce a multicolor effect, colors are applied one top of the other, beginning with the lightest color.

Ewe cloth is similar to the Asantes’ kente cloth. This African Fabric is named after the Ewe people who originated from the southeastern region of Ghana. There are two types of Ewe cloth. Wealthy people wear a type of Ewe cloth that is
elaborately decorated. The other type is made from simple cotton fibers and display modest patterns. 

Khasa consists of heavy woolen striped blankets that are woven by the Fulani of Mali. The textile is typically 6 to 8 feet long and woven in 8-inch wide strips. Although the traditional blanket is white, it is also common to have
yellow, black, or red strips. Khasa is usually ordered for the cold season.

Kente cloth originated from the Fante people of Ghana, who sold this African fabric in baskets. Kente patterns have religious, political, and even financial significance. Today, there’s a pattern to indicate the importance of almost any special occasion, and colors are chosen to reflect customs and beliefs.  Because of its vibrant beauty and regal legacy as a cloth fit for kings and queens, authentic Kente remains one of the most popular fabrics on the market today.

Korhogo cloth is made by the Senufo people of the Ivory Coast. Approximately 5-inch strips are hand-woven. Mud is painted on the cloth to create patterns of animals, men in ceremonial dress, buildings, or geometric designs. The soil used to make this mud is usually black, brown, or rust and is collected throughout West  Africa. It is used for clothing as well as for pillows, wall hangings, and folding screens.

Kuba Cloth

Kuba cloth originated from the Democratic Republic of Congo (also known as Zaire). This textile is tightly woven using strands from raffia palm leaves. Raffia strands are also interwoven between the warp and weft to create
intricate geometric patterns. Kuba cloth comes in two styles. One has a rich and velvety pile; the other has a flat weave will little or no pile.  Kuba cloth is used for ceremonial skirts, wall hangings, or mats for sitting and sleeping. 

African lace denotes brightly coloured industrially embroidered textiles that define the image of Nigeria worldwide. Factually though, “the specific designs
manufactured for the West African market go back to the early 1960s when commercial relations with the newly independent state of Nigeria began. Since then, African lace has become extremely popular in Nigeria and the resulting clothes have been adopted as traditional dress.

Manjaka cloth is woven in 7-inch wide strips that are sewn together; this textile is distinguished by its intricate geometric patterns. Manjaka originated from Guinea-Bissau and has complex designs. 

Mud cloth originated from Mali and once worn by hunters. Mud cloth is made from narrow strips of hand-spun and hand-woven cotton, which are sewn together in various widths and lengths. The cloth is first dyed with a yellow

solution extracted from the bark of the M’Peku tree and the leaves and stems of the Wolo tree; the solution acts as a fixative. Then, using carved bamboo or wooden sticks, symbolic designs are applied in mud that has been collected from riverbanks and allowed to ferment over time. After the mud is applied to the cloth, it is dried in the sun. The process is repeated several times to obtain a rich color that is deeply embedded  in the cloth. 

African Brocade fabric is made from 100% cotton. Unique designs are intricately woven into shiny and starchy fabric. This cloth is also called Basin fabric. Brocade or Basin fabric is very popular in West Africa .

African Print

African Print fabrics are reproductions and machine made.This fabric can endure heavy wear and tear.