textile (function unknown); textile

Sierra Leonean country cloth of the kula nyei type, identified by weaving together yarns of different colours to create a striped effect. This example is made from twelve strips woven on a tripod loom, and then sewn together to produce a larger cloth. The blue yarn is likely dyed using locally sourced indigo. The ends are folded over to create a hem.

An example of Sierra Leonean country cloth, of the kula nyei type. These thick heavy textiles were traditionally made from locally grown cotton, collected by women and spun into thread and dyed by men. Men were also the main weavers, and would have used a tripod loom to create a series of strips which were then sewn together edge to edge to create a larger cloth with a more complex pattern. County cloths have been recorded as being used as trade items, worn as part of elite ceremonial dress, as well as burial shrouds (plain white).

Collection Information

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