AFRICAN TEXTILES. Colour and Creativity Across a Continent

AFRICAN TEXTILES

The first encyclopaedic, continent-wide survey of the textile traditions of Africa, lavishly illustrated throughout with hundreds of colour photographs and drawings

African Textiles describes the vast array of techniques used to create these sumptuous textiles, as well as the types of loom, materials and dyes. Important influences on textile production – religion, culture, trade, tradition, fashion and the changing role of women – are assessed in each of the different regions of Africa, which have their own particular style.

Breathtaking skill and creativity are presented here in superb colour, from the stripweaves of the Ashanti and the Ewe of West Africa to the beadwork of the Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele peoples of the South and the Asian-derived tradition of weaving silk and raphia of Madagascar.

With a glossary and map, a guide to collections open to the public, and suggestions for further reading, this guide provides a wealth of information on the rich art of African textiles.

West Africa: The Ashanti, The Bamana, The Baulé, The Dida, The Djerma, The Ewe, The Fante, The Fulani, The Hausa, The Igbo, The Nupe, The Yoruba. 

North Africa: The Berbers, The Kabyle.

East Africa: The Ambara, The Baganda, The Dorze, The Galla, The Gurage, The Kikuyu, The Maasai, The Somalis, The Tigray.

Central Africa: The Bamileke, The Imbuti Pygmies, The Kuba, The Shoowa.

Southern Africa:  The Betsileo, The Merina, The Ndebele, The Sakalava, The Xhosa, The Zulu.