textile (function unknown); textile

Woven cotton textile, known as country cloth, with bands of black, light brown and cream. The warp is a fine, loosely spun singles yarn. Regularly spaced bands are repeated four times, with an additional, wider centre band. This has three motifs in the centre. A large, mostly natural coloured diamond motif flanked by a large 'X'-shaped motif, worked in grey, barely spun yarn. The warp ends have been grouped and knotted into a fringe; these have worn away in the centre of each end. It is of the kpokpo type.

An example of Sierra Leonean country cloth, of the kpokpo type. These thick heavy textiles were traditionally made from locally grown cotton, collected by women and spun into thread that was later dyed by men. Men were also the main weavers, and would have used a tripod loom to create a series of strips which were then sewn together edge to edge to create a larger cloth with a more complex pattern. County cloths have been recorded as being used as trade items, worn as part of elite ceremonial dress, as well as burial shrouds (plain white).

Collection Information

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