Tilbi Gown

A Malian tilbi gown made from unbleached calico, or unprocessed cotton, with a crotchet design. The design has been made by removing areas of calico, and replacing them with cream crotchet work, arranged in geometric patterns. There are also areas of embroidery in pink and blue dyed cotton. Tilbi gowns of this sort were worn by elites in the Niger trading towns of Djenne and Timbuktu, in what is now Mali. This example is interesting as, though it was made in Mali, it was collected in Sierra Leone by Inspector Bannerman-Phillips. Records from the time state that it was taken from Temne Chief Santigui Mahdi, during military operations against the Yonne Temne in 1888.

Further Information

• Type: Regalia, Costume, dress
• Object: Tilbi Gown
• Materials: Textile
• Culture Group: Other
• Dimensions: 1750mm [W] x 1150mm [L]
• Production Date: Pre 1950
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: E. A. Bannerman-Phillips
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.1950.44.2

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