The Mossi people of Burkina Faso, West Africa are known for their ancient indigo dyeing techniques. The cloth is first handwoven in strips using locally grown cotton and then stitched together to form a larger cloth. The pattern is created using a stitch resist technique, which is a very intricate process. The stitching is done with a raffia thread that resists the indigo dye where the stitch is held. The cloth is then dyed using leaves from the indigo plant that have been beaten into a pulp, rolled into balls, and left to dry in the sun. The cloth is then mixed in an ash and water solution that acts as a fixative for the indigo dye. After the dyeing process, the stitches are removed to reveal a unique pattern. The entire process of creating this artisanal cloth is done in harmony with the earth.
As with many vintage textiles, this scarf may have imperfections such as variation in color, repaired tears, fraying, and other signs of age. This is part of what makes it a lovely & unique piece! Please reach out if you have any questions.
