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 interesting design is composed of eight strips, with bands of undyed, indigo, red, light blue, and yellow cotton. They are sewn together to create an intricate chequered effect. This example entered the collection from the Methodist Missionary Society, and it thought to be an early example.

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Further Information

  • Type: Textiles, cloth
  • Object: Kpokpo Cloth
  • Materials: Textile
  • Culture Group: Mende
  • Dimensions: 2080mm [L] x 1210mm [W]
  • Production Date: Pre 1956
  • Associated Places: Unknown
  • Associated People: Methodist Missionary Society
  • Museum: British Museum
  • Accession Number: BM:Af.1956.10.9

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