Priya Shah, founder of Mia Kora did as a delightful favour showcasing the richness and diversity of the African textile designs on her "Fabric map of Africa". Every fabric tells a story.
Fabric Map of Africa by Priya Shah, Kenyan Textile Designer and Founder of Mia Kora
From the vibrant patterns of Kente in Ghana to the bold stripes of Faso Dan Fani in Burkina Faso, each weave is a celebration of culture, identity, and artistry. This deep dive explores the weaving techniques and symbolism behind some of the region’s most iconic fabrics.
🇬🇭 Ghana's Kente
Woven by the Asante and Ewe peoples, Kente is made of silk or cotton. The meticulous weaving process uses different patterns and color combinations to convey specific messages.
Each Kente design has a name and a story. For example, the color black can represent spiritual energy and union with ancestors, while green often represents renewal and growth.
🇳🇬 Nigeria's Aso Oke
Made by the Yoruba people, the Aso Oke is usually woven on narrow horizontal looms. The fabric is crafted from cotton and silk and is reputed for its durability and versatility.
A symbol of tradition, identity and social status, it's often worn during significant events such as weddings and religious ceremonies. Its colors and patterns also carry meaning: royal blue or purple represent royal heritage while gold and silver threads represent wealth and festivity.
🇨🇮 Ivory Coast's Pagne Baoulé
Woven using the "banco" technique, the Pagne Baoule comes from the Baoule people.
It features geometric patterns and symbolic motifs often depicting proverbs, animals, and everyday objects acting as visual story telling. Each piece conveys messages.
🇧🇫 Burkina Faso's Faso Dan Fani
The Faso Danfani is a thick cotton fabric handwoven on traditional horizontal looms and produced in narrow strips (15-30cm wide) ofthen assemable to make full garments.
The name itself "Faso Danfani" means " woven by the people of the homeland" in Dioula. It was a symbol of national pride and self-reliance under the President Thomas Sankara who encourages wearing it as a statement of cultural identity and economic independence in the 1980s.
🇸🇳 Senegal's "Manjak"
Also called " Seurou Njaago" or "Seurou Rabal", the Manjak Cloth (Seurou Njaago) is traditionally hadnwoven by the Manjak or Njaago people using narrow floor looms. The weaving process in intricate and extremely precise use a mix of cotton and silk threads and incorporating symbolic patterns.
The Seurou Njaago is woven for milestones and holds significant cultural value. It's often used in ceremonies marking rites of passage such as birth, adulthood, wedding and remembrance after death. It symbolizes fertility, community ties and for some, spiritual protection. This fabric is the hero of our signature collection Flowers of Resilience.
African textiles and in particular West African woven fabrics, are more than just fabric. They are living stories passed down through generations. By understanding their techniques and symbolism, we can honor the artisans who create them and the culture they represent while promoting ethically crafted sustainable fashion.
At Misendy, we carry these traditions forward, transforming heritage into modern, wearable art that empowers and inspires.
Discover more about our Signature Collection Flowers of Resilience.
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