Njawi-Kpokpo Cloth

Country cloth is a thick, heavy, cloth, traditionally made from locally grown cotton that is spun into thread, dyed, and woven into strips on a tripod loom. The strips are then sewn together edge to edge to form the finished cloth. Such cloth was, in the past, regarded as a sign or wealth and Prestige. This is an example of Njawi-Kpokpo cloth, used fro formal or ceremonial purposes, such as the coming out of girls, initiated into the Sande society, or more recently, in political ceremonies. This example is composed of eight strips in natural cotton, with bands of pink, blue, and red, dyed cotton wefts. The piece has a central band with lozenge motifs, flanked by solid blue weft-faced stripes.

Related Videos

Further Information

• Type: Textiles, cloth
• Object: Njawi-Kpokpo Cloth
• Materials: Textile
• Culture Group: Vai, Sherbro, Mende
• Dimensions: 2850mm [L] x 1380mm [W]
• Production Date: Pre 1934
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: Charles A. Beving
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.1934.307.184

Related Objects