Mandingo Gown

A typical Mandingo gown, made from 13 narrow strips of undyed, plain weave, cotton. It is elaborately embroidered in herringbone, knot and loop stitch, in blue, gold, pink, green, and white, cotton. The embroidery is largely geometric in design; the compositions of three and four squares on the front and back, are thought to represent a compound. A small warri board can also be found low down, at the front. The term Mandingo here, is associated with Muslim elites from the north of Sierra Leone. This is a particularly early example, being collected between 1888 and 1890.

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Further Information

  • Type: Costume, dress, Regalia
  • Object: Mandingo Gown
  • Materials: Textile
  • Culture Group: Mandingo
  • Dimensions: 9250mm [L] x 1860mm [W]
  • Production Date: Pre 1960
  • Associated Places: Freetown
  • Associated People: Mary G. Dean
  • Museum: British Museum
  • Accession Number: BM:Af.1960.3.1

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