African fabric is making a significant impact in the fashion industry. People love wearing African clothing despite their culture.
African Fabric has unique patterns and colors that help people explore their identity and how they dress. The unique patterns and the vibrant colors make everyone’s heads turn.
African textile has more meaning to it just from clothing. It is a means of communication; it is used as a non-verbal way of communication by people who want to express their emotions and feelings.
There are so many different types of African Textiles with beautiful histories that you can learn by reading this blog.
- Ankara
Ankara Fabric used to be produced by the Dutch through ‘Batik’. This fabric is also known as African wax print, Kitenge/ Chitenge, or Dutch wax print.
The popular thing about this fabric is the colorful prints they come in. Every print tells a different story of the African Culture. You can get this fabric from AKN Fabric Store in New York is famous for Ankara fabric, one of the popular African fabrics.
Ankara fabric is used for accessories mainly and other things. You can make shoes and earrings out of these fabrics. You can even make out a bag or a phone case cover from Ankara fabric.
- Ukara Ekpe
Ukara Ekpe is a textile from Nigeria. It is woven and later dyed in blue, green, or red. Nsibidi symbols and motifs are designed on this fabric by the artists.
Some symbols are masks, metal rods, moons, trees, stars, feathers, or hands for friendship, war, etc. are printed on the fabric. Initially, the Ukara symbol was printed for wealth and power given to the titled men and women.
- Kente
Kente fabric is one of the famous African fabrics made out of handwoven cloth strips of silk and cotton. It is a Ghanaian Fabric that used to be worn by royal people for religious and sacred purposes. You can quickly get this famous fabric from an African Fabric Store.
Colors on Kente Fabric represent different meanings, as the white color stands for purity and black stands for mourning.
- Adire
Adire is a fabric that is made through a tie and dye method. This textile is dyed in Indigo. It is dyed using different techniques to create patterns. These fabrics come in readymade forms, later sewn as desired.
- Isi Agu
The word “Isi Agu” refers to the head of the lion, which is printed all over the fabric. It is used for pullover tunic shirts with long or short sleeves. These shirts are also known as “Chieftaincy.”
- Bogolan
Bogolan fabric is also known as mudcloth fabric. This textile is dyed in fermented mud and plant-based dyes. It’s a handmade fabric, and it is produced without the help of any machinery. It takes a little much more time to produce this fabric.
This fabric is primely used for art and decorations. This fabric is a brilliant option for home décor and upholstery, tablecloths, pillows, wall decorations for walls.
- Barkcloth
This fabric is made out of the bark of the trees. It is produced out of the process of beating sodden strips of the inner bark of the trees into thin sheets. Later, these sheets are turned into different items.
- Shweshwe
This fabric comes in Geometric patterns, is made in different colors, and prints unique designs. It is a cotton fabric used for traditional clothing in South Africa.
- Kikoy
This fabric is a handmade fabric with cotton material. This fabric is used to make wrappers, head wraps, beach towels, home decorations, skirts, shirts, etc.
- Kanga
This fabric is similar to the kitenge fabric, and the only difference is that it is lighter. These fabrics usually come with printed words, either blessings or friendships. Swahili expressions are also symbolized in this fabric.
This fabric is used for baby carriers, home décor, shirts, head wraps, etc.
- Aso Oke
It is a fabric that is handwoven by the Nigerian people. This textile is also known as “top cloth”. This fabric symbolizes high-status clothing.
The method of making this fabric hasn’t changed over time. This fabric is perfect for casual wear. The thickness of the fabric has decreased over time because of the new techniques in the production.
