The art of African weaving is an ancient art form. This skill is a huge part of the African culture. Textile weaving is one of the oldest surviving practises in the world and it is acknowledged as one of the oldest surviving crafts. The tradition of weaving traces back to the Neolithic times, approximately 12,000 years ago. The art of weaving has slowly refined over thousands of years.
Humans have been weaving since the dawn of time. Baskets were weaved to store seeds and harvests, textiles weaved to use as clothing (hats, shoes, Kuba cloth from The Congo) and for households needs (bedding, mats, fences) and nets to trap fish. This is evidence that we have always had skills and understanding of our natural environment and are capable of producing products that are eco friendly and have a positive environmental impact.
Passion for handmade
Africa has a long history when it comes to textiles weaving. The techniques and skills used in African weaving are generally passed down from generation to generation. The craftsmanship is a natural process, altered by social changes and shaped by economic and environmental factors.
Traditional textile weaving methods are still held in high regard and weaving can be done by hand or by using machines. Materials most favoured by African artisans are biodegradable fibres which reflect the local habitat. They include banana leaves, bark wood, cane, plant roots such as makenge, vines, raffia and sisal fibres. The materials now include wire and recycled products.
The process of weaving can be an extremely lengthy process. This is especially so if fibres need to be dyed as well as made pliant. A fiber such as sisal needs to be stripped, cleaned and spun by hand, a process which can take between 16 hours to a whole day. Dyes are made from natural sources like clay, fruits, leaves, tea and vegetables.
Raffia straw bags with handles
The art of weaving is a very important part of African cultures. The colours and methods used are of significance and representative of specific attributes and qualities (births, celebrations, creativity, royalty). This is where the inspiration for ecoafriq’s bags and accessories comes from. Our work is influenced by the African arts. We use recyclable and organic materials to produce high quality products that are free from toxins and recognise art, artisans skills and time.
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