Njawi-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 an example of Njawi-Kpokpo cloth, used fro formal or ceremonial purposes, such as the coming out of girls, initiated into the Sande society, or more recently, in political ceremonies. This example is composed of 11 strips in natural cotton, with bands of elaborate indigo supplementary weft in geometric patterns.

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Further Information

• Type: Textiles, cloth
• Object: Njawi-Kpokpo Cloth
• Materials: Textile
• Culture Group: Mende
• Dimensions: 2550mm [L] x 1560mm [W]
• Production Date: Pre 1952
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: Freetown Public Relations Office [Year Acquired: 1952]
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.1952.10.4

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