Small Mudcloth – Blessing

Description

Mudcloth, also called bògòlanfini or bogolan, is a handmade cotton fabric from Mali and one of the best-known textiles in West African art. The dyeing technique was developed by women of Mali’s Bambara culture. Patterns often carry meaning, referring to historical events, animals, mythology and proverbs.

A single piece can take several months to make. The cloth is painted and dyed in stages, with fermented mud used to deepen the colour and define the motifs, and the process takes considerable skill and patience. Malian painters today use mudcloth designs and techniques in their work, and the fabric remains popular in contemporary fashion.