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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French
This cloth has a diagonal grid pattern in mint green with red, blue, yellow, and green accents. Within in the grid are multiple images associated with women in blue. Also …
French
This fabric commemorates graduation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On a pink background decorated with blue and yellow mortarboards, the central emblem of this fabric features four graduates in …
French
This fabric has an abstract blue pattern that features blue and orange diamond shapes. The smaller diamond shapes contain an outline of the country of Mali. The capital, Bamako, is …
French
This fabric is in support of Ali Saibou, the president of the National Movement for the Development of Society (MNSD). His portrait is featured in the center. The blue background …
French
On a pink background, this International Women’s Day fabric features a geometric pattern of diamond stripes in red, gold, and brown. The central emblem is a brown and gold globe, …
French
This fabric commemorates nursery schools for young children and maternal classes for mothers. The black and navy geometric background displays an image of children playing in a schoolyard while two …
French
This pink fabric commemorates Pope John Paul II. There is an ornate blue and gold design bordering the top and bottom as well as the recurring images of Pope John …
French
This fabric celebrates the 50th anniversary of independence in Côte d’Ivoire. On a white background decorated with green and orange swirls and stars, the central emblem that repeats throughout the …
French
Cloth promoting the University of Buea in Buea, Cameroon. This cloth features the seal of the University of Buea set against a blue and green checkered background. Within the seal …
French
This fabric celebrates the 1981 6th annual National Youth Festival that took place in Diffa, Niger. The central image shows an outline of the country with the southern transportation route …
French
This fabric commemorates the 1972 gathering of the Organisation commune Africaine Malgache et Mauricienne in Lome, Togo. On a yellow background, the central emblem features the map of Africa in …
French
This fabric commemorates the 12th annual Traditional Wresting Championship that took place in Diffa, Niger in 1986. The image shows two men wresting in traditional costume. Text (French): 12ème Championnat …
French
This fabric celebrates the Zinguinchor Carnival. Ziguinchor is a major city in the southern region of Senegal. On a black background, the fabric features colorful details of musicians, dancers, trees, …
French
Fabric celebrating Niger’s independence. The background displays a red, beige, and green motif similar to that of the Nigerien national flag. It is bordered by elephants. This fabric features a …
French
This fabric commemorates the Bassa Synod of Cameroon. On a light blue background decorated with blue and green images of open bibles, the fabric features a repeating pattern of green …
French
Fabric advertising the Cameroonian printing company Société de Presse et d’Éditions du Cameroun (SOPECAM). This cloth features a blue background with the company acronym and logo in darker blue and …
French
Tunic commemorating the ordination of pastors in the Bassa Presbyterian Synod. This tunic is made from a standard abstract pattern with grided and floral features. The text has been stamped …
French
A blue cloth produced to celebrate the 50 years of independence of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The cloth is adorned with several black stars and cut diagonally by a …
French
This fabric commemorates Senegal’s leadership in 1981, which marked 21 years of independence. The fabric features a photo of Senegal's second President, Abdou Diouf, and his wife. The background uses …
French
Fabric commemorating the 30th anniversary of the opening of the American Embassy in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. It features the flag of the Congo People's Republic which was used …
French
This fabric honors the trade union CDTN that was founded in 2001. The black background features a pattern that resembles a web. The CDTN logo and slogan are displayed as …
French
This fabric commemorates the political party in Togo called Union pour la République (UNIR). On a bright blue background decorated with rows of small white doves, this fabric features the …
French
Fabric commemorating a National Assembly for freedom of religion in Benin. The background displays an instrument or tool motif in red and black. The fabric features an outline of a …
French
This fabric commemorates the 1981 agreement between Senegal and the Gambia. Portraits of the two nations’ presidents and their wives are shown in a floral motif in the shape of …
French
Fabric produced to celebrate International Women's Day in the DRC. Text (French) Journée Internationale de la Femme 8 Mars. International Women's Day 8 March. The background is predominantly blue with …
French
Fabric produced to celebrate International Women's Day. Text (French) Journée Internationale de la Femme 8 Mars. International Women's Day 8 March with a face of a woman inside the map …
French
This fabric commemorates Senegal's participation in the 1980 Olympic games in Moscow. On a blue background, colorful text and images of athletes, torches, and Olympic rings are spread over a …
French
Cloth promoting the cultural association of the Elog-Mpoo people in Cameroon. The cloth features the seal of ACTEM flanked by palm trees and a member of the Elog-Mpoo ethnic community. …
French
This cloth features a white, blue, purple, and orange background with a flower motif repeated throughout. The cloth also features a large image of Pope John Paul II in prayer …
French
This International Women’s Day fabric features health movements and success in Tchad. The largest emblem is a black and white image of a child being vaccinated against polio ringed in …
French
Cloth commemorating the 53rd year of independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A circular logo at the center bears a shape similar to a star with "53 ans" …
French
This orange and brown colored fabric features the company slogan and logo alternating with images displaying motifs related to housing: brick wall and a roof. Text (French): Crédit foncier du …
French
This fabric commemorates the Workers’ Union of Mali. The central emblem features the colors of the Malian flag above the union’s acronym. Also in the emblem is an image of …
French
Fabric produced to celebrate international Women's Day. Text (French, English) Journée Internationale Femme 8 Mars International Women's Day 8th March Text: positivement au Coeur des TIC/ Positively at the heart …
French
This fabric was made for the Mouvement National Pour la Société de Développement-NASSARA (MNSD-NASSARA). The political party was officially created in 1991 after MNSD adopted the word Nassara, meaning "victory." …
French
This blue and white cloth commemorates the 2014 Medumba Arts and Culture Festival. It has two checkered patterns and features an image of a statue of a female bust. Text …
French
This fabric commemorating the 2014 International Women’s Day in Cameroon features an intricate pattern in shades of yellow, gold, orange and black. The pattern includes several portraits of women. These …
French
Cloth commemorating the sixth Women's Congress of the Presbyterian Church of Cameroon. The heart-shaped logo of the Presbyterian Church of Cameroon is featured on this cloth. Inside the heart is …
French
This fabric commemorates the 20th year of Mali’s independence. On a brown background decorated with gold and green accents, the central image features a lion under which the letters UDPM …
French
This fabric honors the work of a public health research institute in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The green background displays the red ribbon for HIV/AIDS awareness. The border features human-like figures and …
French
This fabric commemorates the 8th annual Youth Festival that took place in 1984 in Niamey, Niger. The central image features three palm trees. Text (French): 8eme Festival de la Jeunesse; …
French
This fabric commemorates International Literacy Day, September 8th. The larger image features a man reading a newspaper. The smaller image shows the emblem for DAFA (Direction de l’Alphabetisation et de …
French
This shirt and skirt set celebrates the 50th anniversary of Congolese independence from France. It features a diamond crosshatch pattern of alternating yellow, green, and orange bands on a tan …
French
The blue background displays an abstract pattern with white birds overlain throughout. One bird carries an envelope in its beak. The emblem shows an image of a woman’s profile, an …
French
This fabric features a detailed nativity scene on a bright pink background. There are also celestial symbols interspersed throughout the fabric. Text: Voici la paix sur nous / Un fils …
French
This fabric commemorates the 1983 presidential campaign of Abdou Diouf. On a white and black background, the central emblem of this pattern features the black and white portraits of Abdou …
French
This royal blue fabric displays a public health campaign for family planning. The central image features a family standing in front of their home. There is a man, a pregnant …
French
Fabric commemorating an arts and culture festival that takes place every two years in Bamako, Mali. The purple checkered background features a pattern of cowry shells in the shape of …
French
The fabric was made for the Camerounian debt collection company Société de Recouverment de Créances du Cameroun. The blue background shows the company acronym SRC in yellow. It features an …
French
Cloth promoting All-University Games at the University of Dschang. This cloth features the seal of the University of Dschang set against a blue green, and white background. Within the seal …