Country Cloth Gown

An early country cloth gown, labelled in the British Museum as a durki ba gown. Country cloth is traditionally made from locally grown cotton that is spun into thread, dyed, and woven into strips on a tripod loom. It is constructed from 32 narrow bands of country cloth, with panels of indigo blue, red, and natural cream colour; they have been sewn together to form a chequered design. The neck is decorated with two strips of red felt, and the back is embroidered geometric blue and red patterns. This gown resembles Mandingo gowns, but is unusual as such gowns usually have more embroidery. The chequered design likens Mende, Vai and Sherbro kpokpo cloth, suggesting that it might rather be from the southern regions of Sierra Leone.

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Further Information

• Type: Regalia, Costume, dress
• Object: Country Cloth Gown
• Materials: Textile
• Culture Group: Mende, Vai, Sherbro
• Dimensions: 1090mm [L] x 2050mm [W]
• Production Date: Pre 1869
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: Henry Christy
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.2797

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