Elements
  • Bazaar
    • Gift Guides
    • Style
    • Wares
  • World Culture
    • Cross Cultural
    • History
    • Language
    • Wisdom
  • People
  • Art
    • The Arts
    • Crafts
    • Iconography
  • Food
    • Cuisine
    • Ingredients
  • Shop >>
Art ,  Crafts

Mudcloth from Africa

Bogolanfini (say Bo-ho-lan-fee-nee, with emphasis on ‘fee’) or mud cloth is an ancient textile tradition practiced by the Bamana people of Mali, Africa.

Mud cloth holds deep cultural significance for the Bamanas, as it is used in important rituals and events that mark milestones from birth to death. Bamana hunters wear red mud cloth ornamented with leather talismans, symbolizing the occult powers that protect them.

Bogolanfini is made primarily by women who pass on the technique and designs to their daughters. Each piece of mud cloth is unique; every combination of color, patterns, symbols and arrangements has a different story to tell. The mud cloth worn by a Bamana also signifies his social status, profession and character.

The handspun cloth comes from locally grown and harvested cotton. With small hand looms, the men weave long strips of cotton known as finimugu and sew them together into cloth panels. From here, the women take over the elaborate process of washing, dying, painting and bleaching the fabric. Mud cloth gets its name from the iron rich mud of Bamako that is collected from ponds, soaked and fermented for a year until it turns black. The women use bamboo strips, twigs, feathers and reeds to paint designs and various plant solutions for fixing the dye.

White designs on a black background are most favored. Rust signifies the protective supernatural power of the hunters. Along with grey, it also acts as a camouflage for hunters. Women typically wear white for important ceremonies.

Deciphering patterns can be tricky, since the meanings conferred upon them are highly individualized. There are symbols for wealth, love and family unity. A design for a warrior’s belt indicates a courageous person. The ‘talking drum’ is meant to summon warriors to battle or scare animals during a hunt.

Share:
Indian Food
Preview Post

Indian Cuisine – More than Curry

Next Post

What’s an Indian masala box?

Leave a Comment

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

You may also like

post-image
Art ,  Iconography

What Is the Hamsa Symbol?

post-image
Art ,  The Arts

The Indian Art of Rangoli Drawing

post-image
Crafts ,  Wares ,  World Culture

Guatemalan Worry Dolls

post-image
Art ,  Crafts ,  History ,  World Culture

Tagua Nut: Vegetable Ivory Of South America

Subscribe

Cultural Elements Store

Cultural Elements
  • Most Views
  • Recent Posts

How To Use A Tetsubin (Japanese Kettle)

The History and Meaning of Dreamcatchers

What Is An Inukshuk?

Indian Culture Q&A

May 11, 2020
Kaftan

The History of the Kaftan

Apr 27, 2020

All About Olive Wood

Feb 28, 2020

About Cultural Elements

At Cultural Elements, we believe that richest sources for style and visual inspiration come from artisan hands all over the world.

Subscribe

One Email a week, that’s it!

The Good Stuff

About Us

Contact Us

 

Connect With Us

Collections

Jewelry 

Home

Apparel

Gifts

 

All Content ©2020 culturalelements.com. All rights reserved.