African Textiles: Color and Creativity Across a Continent

by John Gillow

“Readers with a passion for textiles will . . . settle in with the thrilling reds and calming indigos that Gillow has put before our eyes.” ― Surface Design Journal The traditional, handcrafted textiles of Africa are sumptuous, intricate, and steeped in cultural significance. Region by region, African Textiles covers, as no other volume has, the handmade textiles of West, North, East, Central, and Southern Africa, outlining the range of weaving techniques, and the different types of looms, materials, and dyes that create these sumptuous works. Nor does it neglect the cultural context of African textiles, assessing the various influences of religion, culture, trade, tradition, fashion, and the changing role of women that inform their creation.

The breathtaking skill and creativity of the African peoples are presented here in radiant color―the gorgeous stripweaves of the Ashanti and the Ewe; the lace weaves of the Yoruba and the bogolanfini mud cloths from Mali and West Africa; the Berber weaves from Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia in North Africa; the unique, crocheted, embroidered, and feathered hats from Cameroon; the ancient weaving tradition of Ethiopia; the beadwork of the Zulu, Xhosa, and Ndebele peoples of Southern Africa; and the Asian-derived tradition of weaving silk and raphia in Madagascar.

A guide to African textile collections open to the public, a glossary, and suggestions for further reading make this volume a practical as well as beautiful guide to the rich art of African textiles. 585 illustrations, 572 in color

Genres: Art, Fashion, Nonfiction, Africa, Art Design, Crafts, Reference

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Sotiris Makrygiannis · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time I took a look into African textiles and still thinking what a great business opportunity! The patterns are very good, love those of blue colour but also the pygmies patterns are great. Funnily, the south east Nigerian patterns have the indo-greek svastika and other symbols that you can find in Greece. Proto Cypriot patterns also found in that region. Algerian knitting similar to what w have in Cyprus. Anyway all of the Africa techniques and patterns (585 in total) are good for a new fashion busineS, especially if hand made as they do it originally.

[Mills College Library]

746.096 G483 2016

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows pictures of the most incredible fabrics, usually woven by men. I have been on the lookout for African patterns, and with reading this book, I got what I wanted. I find many of the pictures inspirational for quilts in a more realistic way than the square repetitive blocks many quilts at quilt shows make work boring. Granted: weaving is not the same as sewing; it is a different medium altogether. The results are often similar for practical use, and for visual pleasure.

I recommend this book to all people interested in looking at African work.

[Amy]

Well-organized book and great photos of the fabric.

[Hawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is informative and goes in-depth about the different types of prints in Africa. The pictures are beautiful and very detailed.