A piece of Bogolan cloth
Allright, in the category “Great Art”, I would like to introduce you to Bògòlanfini commonly known as bogolan which is a traditional Malian fabric dyed with fermented mud, particularly associated with the Bamana people of Mali. The name is a Bamana word meaning “earthcloth” (Bogo = earth, lan = the way to obtain a result from the earth). Bogolan became mainstream when the genius stylist Chris Seydou (who worked with stylists such as Yves Saint Laurent) modernized its use in society, incorporating it in western coats, and dresses. Today, as you walk down the streets of New York City, you would definitely encounter these beautiful African American ladies wearing Bogolan coats in the midst of winter. The Bamana people have used Bogolanfini in all parts of their lives for centuries, and the art of making it is centuries old, and is passed from generations to generations.
Couvre-Lit en Bogolan
The Smithsonian made a beautiful page about the Bogolan and some of its artists, including the great Chris Seydou. One of the artists, Nakunte Diarra says that in the Bamana creation, “Since God created the world,… Bogolan was there.” What a beautiful to emphasize the importance of Bogolan in the Bamana society, and today in Malian life.
Please check out the website by the Smithsonian, and get a chance to make your own bogolan: http://www.mnh.si.edu/africanvoices/mudcloth/index_flash.html
The video below was chosen particularly because the artist, Issiaka Dembele, gives a historical background to the art of making Bogolan. You will find shorter videos on how Bogolan is made , but this one was the most profound!
You can also check out: http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/bogolan/video/x44khp_05-formation-a-la-confection-de-bog_travel
I have only posted Part 1, dont’ forget to check out part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrIL9oS9vq4).
[…] entirely built on mud! Maybe that is why Malians are so renowned for their work on mudcloth a.k.a. bogolan! The Djennenké say that nowhere in the world would you find people who can build in mud like […]
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By: Djenné: the mud brick (adobe) city « African Heritage on December 21, 2010
at 6:00 pm
[…] it… so we should make it too! What were African textiles before then? was it mostly ‘bogolan‘-type of textile? This should be the subject of another post. In the meantime, let us […]
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By: African Queens of Textiles: the Nana Benz of Togo « African Heritage on February 21, 2012
at 7:37 am
[…] to believe that the Wax hollandais is the only fabric worn by Africans, when we know that the Bogolan rises from a long tradition of weavers in Mali, or the Kente cloth of […]
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By: History of African Fabrics and Textiles | African Heritage on May 17, 2013
at 4:06 am
[…] Dr. Y’s African Heritage blog at: https://afrolegends.com/2009/09/11/bogolan-the-art-of-making-mudcloth/ […]
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By: Silhouettes and symbols | Tish Farrell on October 11, 2013
at 4:55 am
[…] to believe that the Wax hollandais is the only fabric worn by Africans, when we know that the Bogolan rises from a long tradition of weavers in Mali, or the Kente cloth of […]
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By: The History of African Prints | Felicia's Seamstress Services on July 2, 2016
at 3:28 pm
[…] Mali: Bogolan / Mudd Cloth […]
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By: Africa: textiles and apparel – Art 2130 on September 6, 2016
at 8:39 am
[…] to believe that the Wax hollandais is the only fabric worn by Africans, when we know that the Bogolan rises from a long tradition of weavers in Mali, or the Kente […]
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By: Colourful Designed fabrics for Clothing - Best News And Entertainment Website on September 24, 2018
at 3:20 pm
[…] to believe that the Wax hollandais is the only fabric worn by Africans, when we know that the Bogolan rises from a long tradition of weavers in Mali, or the Kente […]
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By: History Of African Fabrics And Textiles - Uncensored Opinion on November 6, 2018
at 1:07 am
[…] to believe that the Wax hollandais is the only fabric worn by Africans, when we know that the Bogolan rises from a long tradition of weavers in Mali, or the Kente […]
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By: An African fabric trader (SABY’S FABRIC) posted on his Facebook page saying”SOUTH AFRICA WE ARE COMING CLOSER SOON” – BritishAvenuK on February 1, 2019
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