Authentic Handwoven African Indigo Mud cloth Fabric from Mali 61" x 39'' J1

Description

Indigo Bambara mudcloth handmade in Mali, West Africa
The making of mudcloth is a time-consuming process(it normally takes from 4-7days). Each piece is 100% cotton and is completely handmade from scratch. The thread is woven on a hand-held loom and makes a strip 5-6 inches wide. These pieces are then sewn together to make these extraordinarily beautiful fabrics.
The first step in making the cloth is to set it in a solution that dyes the cloth yellow and acts as the fixative: typically this is a tea made from the Bogolon tree which is native to Mali, West Africa. The mud designs are then hand painted onto the cloth with the tea acting as a fixative for the mud dye. The mud used to make mudcloth is usually mixed with water and then set aside to sit for about one year.
Using twigs or metal instruments the artist will paint the designs with the mud, being sure to saturate the area so it will not wash out. The fabric is then washed and another layer is applied over the first. The fabric is then dried and put in an organic solution to make the patterns appear darker. Finally, on black and white fabric, a soda is painted on to the areas that have no patterns. This bleaches the fabric causing it to regain its original cotton white.
Bambara, the "people who refuse to be ruled" is the literal meaning of their name.  They are the largest ethnic group in Mali, West Africa of which they make up about 35% of the population.  Their language is the trade language spoken throughout much of the country and they have been the dominant people group of Malian society.
This item is a
Fair Trade Product
, created by individuals in developing countries and purchased for a fair price.
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