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 six strips of hand-woven cloth with combinations of cream, yellow, brown, blue, and orange, blocks and geometric shapes, including diamonds, lozenges and cheques. Sewn together they create a complex chequered effect.

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Further Information

• Type: Textiles, cloth
• Object: Kpokpo Cloth
• Materials: Textile
• Culture Group: Mende
• Dimensions: 4610mm [L] x 1820mm [W]
• Production Date: Pre 1952
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: Freetown Public Relations Office [Year Acquired: 1952]
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.1952.10.3

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