textile (function unknown); textile

Sierra Leonean country cloth, with a 'haku' design. Haku translates as tortoise in Mende, referring in this case to the checkered design that is thought to resemble a tortoise shell. This cloth is made of four strips, woven individually on a tripod loom in dark blue and cream coloured cotton. It has deep hems at either end.

Its size and shape indicates that it was probably made to be used as a 'lappa' or skirt, with the textile wrapped round the body and secured by tucking in the ends. This is common for haku cloths, their other main use being as the base for a hammock.

Sierra Leonean country cloth, with a 'haku' design. Haku translates as tortoise in Mende, referring in this case to the checkered design that is through to resemble a tortoise shell. This cloth is made of four strips, woven individually on a tripod loom in dark blue and cream coloured cotton. It has deep hems at either end. Its size and shape indicates that it was probably made to be used as a 'lappa' or skirt, with the textile wrapped round the body and secured by tucking in the ends. This is common for haku cloths, their other main use being as the base for a hammock.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
27.7.55/26
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 89.6063 x 29.6063 in.; 2276 x 752 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
cotton (textile); cotton fibre
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
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Collection Information

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