A large and impressive Sierra Leonean country cloth of the stepi type. 'Stepi' translates from Mende into steps, referring to the step-like motif adorning the middle section of the textile.
It is composed of 23 individually woven strips made on a tripod loom. these are then sewing together to form the overall pattern which is planned before the weaving begins. The pattern is an intrinsic part of the ground weave, formed by weaving together both natural and black spur cotton. The design itself is known as 'kigbengbe'. Four very large black squares (each containing a smaller black square) are symmetrically located, surrounded by the stepped motifs. The warp ends are unfinished and the cloth has some staining.
An example of Sierra Leonean country cloth, of the kpokpo 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).