Kpokpo Cloth

Country cloth is a thick, heavy, cloth, traditionally made from locally grown cotton that is spun into thread, dyed, and woven into strips on a tripod loom. The strips are then sewn together edge to edge to form the finished cloth. Such cloth was, in the past, regarded as a sign or wealth and Prestige. This is thought to be an example of kpokpoi, or kpokpo, cloth, relating to country cloth made up of strips of varying colours and patterns, used to make a larger, more complex, pattern. This example is composed of four wide strips, measuring 305mm in width, decorated in bands of cream, and indigo-dyed, cotton, and red thread. Sewn together they create a chequered design, bordered by bands of zigzags of red and blue. The red thread is likely to have been imported.

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Further Information

  • Type: Textiles, cloth
  • Object: Kpokpo Cloth
  • Materials: Textile
  • Culture Group: Mende, Sherbro
  • Dimensions: 2930mm [L] x 1230mm [W]
  • Production Date: Pre 1934
  • Associated Places: Unknown
  • Associated People: Charles A. Beving
  • Museum: British Museum
  • Accession Number: BM:Af.1934.307.180

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