Images of Commemorative Fabrics from Africa
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Commemorative Fabrics from Africa is a collection of machine-made commemorative textiles from various African countries. This collection provides researchers access to digitized fabrics that are printed with images and text documenting events and individuals of historical, political, religious, economic, educational, and sociological significance to African societies. Throughout the continent, fabric serves multiple functions in people's daily lives. It is used for clothing, shelter, storage, and packing material. The type of African fabric found in this collection also serves as a communication device. When used as a textual and visual document, the fabric becomes a vehicle to commemorate an event or to celebrate a person's life or achievement. One does not need to know how to read in order to understand the messages found in these textiles. In societies where a large portion of the population cannot read, the visual elements enable everyone to share in the reception and transmission of the message that is being conveyed. In this way, the fabric also serves to preserve historical narratives that are important to the community. The pieces in this collection were graciously donated by UW faculty, staff, students, alumni, and other individuals outside the UW.
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Publication Type
- 33
Organization
- 1
UW: University of Wisconsin–Madison English
This cloth is an Indian produced commemorative fabric celebrating Nigerian independence. It is brown cotton with embroidered blue and red stripes. At the center is an embroidered tiger in yellow …
English
Black kente stole with stripes of white, green, yellow, and maroon. Includes the recipient's date of birth.
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Blue kente stole, with stripes of pink, yellow, and maroon. The message on the stole is done in yellow thread, interwoven with silver. Featured at both ends of the stole …
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This fabric commemorates Mother's Day, and has a floral background in shades of pastel yellow. The main image is that of a mother and her infant, framed in blue. The …
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Cloth promoting AIDS awareness in Cameroon. At the center of this pattern is a round emblem featuring a red AIDs ribbon over a map of Africa with Cameroon highlighted in …
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This high school graduation kente stole is done in green and white, the school colors, and includes the recipient's jersey number and year of graduation. The stole also features the …
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This stole features a portrait of Barack Obama, between two sets of Adrinka symbols. To the left are the symbols of gye nyame and nkonsonkonson which represent the supremacy of …
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Cloth from the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training in Yaoundé. Features images of the various buildings where the ministry is located. Text: Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training; Ministère …
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A black kente stole with the words, "Aliko Songolo Madison Grand Order of Oluwales Memer." It features the symbol of the Asante seat of leadership, with stripes done in white, …
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Cloth commemorating the 2012 agricultural fair in Ebolowa, Cameroon. The cloth features a central emblem of various agricultural icons, such as a chick, a cow, cocoa, bannanas, and a tractor. …