woodheads
African Textiles
Colour and Creativity Across a Continent
ISBN 9780500288009
30.80 x 24.00 cm
Paperback with flaps
240pp
585 Illustrations, 572 in colour
First published 2009
The first encyclopaedic, continent-wide survey of the textile
traditions of Africa, lavishly illustrated throughout with hundreds of colour
photographs and drawings
African Textiles describes the vast array of techniques
used to create these sumptuous textiles, as well as the types of loom, materials
and dyes. Important influences on textile production – religion, culture, trade,
tradition, fashion and the changing role of women – are assessed in each of the
different regions of Africa, which have their own particular style.
Breathtaking skill and creativity are presented here in superb colour, from
the stripweaves of the Ashanti and the Ewe of West Africa to the beadwork of the
Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele peoples of the South and the Asian-derived tradition of
weaving silk and raphia of Madagascar.
With a glossary and map, a guide to collections open to the public, and
suggestions for further reading, this guide provides a wealth of information on
the rich art of African textiles.
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