African patterns themselves hold so much more than their beauty. Traditional African textiles such as Kuba cloth and Bògòlanfini (Mudcloth) have an incredibly rich history of a great and ingenious people. The prints can be a symbol of status, hierarchy and allegiance to tribal roots. 

For more insight into the background of these exquisite prints, let’s take a look at the meaning behind some of the most popular patterns.

Kuba cloth

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. This extremely time consuming process is unique to a variety of sub-groups of the Kuba people, with each fabric different than the next.

In every case, the arrangement of the design and pattern is done in such a way that it tells a story and has deep meaning. Talk about making a statement!

Bògòlanfini (Mudcloth)

Like Kuba cloth, Bògòlanfini (Mudcloth) is made using a technique that weaves cloth and color together. Typically made from fermented mud, this cloth originates from Mali’s Bamana culture. In their culture, this African pattern is typically worn as a form of camouflage for hunters and as a badge of status for ritual protection. Women in the culture are wrapped in this fabric pattern after their initiation into adulthood and following childbirth. Traditionally, the cloth is believed to take away any dangerous or evil forces caused by the circumstances.

Bògòlanfini patterns have historic and cultural significance. They were worn during the famous battle between a Malian soldier and the French and are significant to Bambara mythology.

Currently, Bògòlanfini is the mainstay of the Malian cultural identity and has been for the last 40 years… That’s a lot of mud!

Now, let’s get in the mud… and make some cloth!