A major form of expression, African patterns are popular as a means of personal adornment and a medium of communication. These exquisite textiles give wearers and admirers insight into social, religious, and political African contexts in an abstract and approachable way.
How are African patterns made?
Produced by the Kuba people of the Congo, this popular African pattern is created with the leaf of the Raffia tree. Each leaf is hand cut and then dyed using natural resources such as indigo and mud. Once the patterns are created the fabric is created using an embroidery technique that weaves fibers into strips.
Where did African patterns come from?
But when we refer to these fabric as “African,” we’re missing a much larger story; this type of fabric is traditionally designed and manufactured by Europeans in European factories for export to West Africa—and the designs are derived from patterns that European designers adapted from traditional Indonesian batik.
What Colours are used in African patterns?
Black: spiritual energy and maturity, as well as funeral rites and mourning. Blue: love, harmony, togetherness and peace. Maroon: healing, plus the colour of Mother Earth. Purple: normally worn by women, associated with femininity.
What do African fabrics mean?
African wax print fabric, also know as kitenge and ankara fabric, is mass produced, colourful, 100% cotton cloth commonly worn and used to make clothing, accessories and other products in Africa.
Whats is a pattern?
A pattern is a regularity in the world, in human-made design, or in abstract ideas. As such, the elements of a pattern repeat in a predictable manner. A geometric pattern is a kind of pattern formed of geometric shapes and typically repeated like a wallpaper design. Any of the senses may directly observe patterns.
What are African patterns used for?
All over Africa there is an overwhelming sense of design and an underlying structure of consistent and recurring pattern. Patterns are used in the decoration of: Architecture-walls, roofing, doors, columns, finials, tiles, ceramics.
What does the triangle mean in African culture?
Each corner of the triangle has its own representation, just like the Catholics have the holy trinity representing the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, for the Zulu Community, each corner of the triangle signifies Father, Mother, and Child.
Why are African fabrics waxed?
Wax print fabrics are associated with African culture because of their tribal patterns and motifs. Each design and colour can reflect local traditions and symbols such as the tribe, marriage and social status of the wearer. Some African women use them as a non-verbal way of communication.
How is death viewed in African culture?
Death is the last phase of the elaborate celebration of the African life cycle . Death is recognized in Africa through a rite of passage that prepares the spirit of the deceased to journey on to the next realm. In many African societies, after the body is buried, the family will have a second, more elaborate funeral.
What does blue mean in Nigeria?
Read also. Nikah wedding dresses in Nigeria: best designs for special brides. On the other hand, blue may represent youth, spirituality, softness, compassion, and tranquillity. Blue can represent people who tend to be faithful, sensitive, patient but sometimes overcautious and too emotional.
What does the color purple mean in Africa?
On of the most interesting things in africa are the color meanings. Black: power, evil, death, mystery. Grey: security, authority, maturity, stability. Purple: royalty, luxury, wisdom, passion. Yellow: joy, energy, warmth.
What do Colours mean in Africa?
For instance, every African knows that generally red depicts the blood that was shed during slavery; green refers to the fertile land of the continent and in each country, and black represents the colour of our skin, whereas white denotes peace and peacefulness whilst gold/yellow symbolizes the sun, or source of wealth …
How can you tell real African fabric?
Avoid Poorer Quality Items, Ankara Fabric Is Made From 100% Cotton. Simply touching the fabric can give you a really good indication of the type of quality. If the fabric feels soft and flexible then it could well be authentic wax.
What are African prints called?
African wax prints, also known as Ankara and Dutch wax prints, are omnipresent and common materials for clothing in Africa, especially West Africa. They are industrially produced colorful cotton cloths with batik-inspired printing.
What are the names of African clothing?
In East Africa, the kanzu is the traditional dress worn by Swahili-speaking men. Women wear the kanga and the gomesi. In Southern Africa, distinctive shirts are worn, like the long dresses they wear. For instance, South Africa is known for the Madiba shirt, whereas Zimbabwe is known for the safari shirt.