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.
Flag this collection
Publication Type
- 263
- 2
Organization
- 4
Language
- 122
- 110
- 9
- 4
- 3
- 2
Topics
- 65
- 55
- 24
- 21
- 9
- 8
English
Cloth made for the third and final conference held for the U.N. declared Decade of Women (1976-1985) held in Nairobi, Kenya, July 1985. Text: UN Decade for Women Conference; July …
English
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 …
English
This fabric displays a World Health Organization campaign to eradicate Guinea worm disease. The disease is caused by a parasite and transmitted via contaminated drinking water. One image shows a …
English
This fabric was made to commemorate the 2016 SCECSAL Conference (Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern African Library and Information Associations). This fabric features the emblem of the Swaziland …
English
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 …
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 …
English
This bright orange International Women’s Day fabric has a central emblem that features a woman wearing a white mask to protect herself and those around her from COVID-19 and a …
UW: University of Wisconsin–Madison English
This fabric displays a map of Nigeria and an image of a pineapple. The two images are displayed in a checkered pattern. The map is divided into geographical zones 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 …
Swahili
Kanga cloth featuring the portrait of Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere bordered by an alternating pattern of the Tanzanian flag and a floral print. Text: Majonzi tunayo Tanzania. Translation: Tanzania is …
English
This cloth has a bold red background interspersed with black lines. The main design is made up of hexagrams, with the center featuring one of the following currency symbols in …
Portuguese
This vibrant fabric was designed to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Mozambican independence. On a geometric background of orange, green, red, black, white, and yellow, the main image of the …
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. …
English
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 …
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 …
English
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, …
English
The center panel features a graduation ceremony scene of a male and a female university student receiving diplomas. The image has an elaborate border displaying a hand carrying a torch, …
Malagasy
This piece is a black bandana with a firm bill attached, meant to be tied around one’s head. On the crown of the headscarf, just above the bill, is an …
English
This is a square yellow bandana printed with orange and green symbols. Some of the symbols represent different musical instruments from Liberia. This bandana was created and printed at the …
English
Fabric produce to celebrate the international Women's Day. Images depict the role of women in society. Text (French, English) Journée Internationale Femme 8 Mars International Women's Day 8th March. Produced …
Akan
This fabric symbolizes an Akan proverb meaning "Man is ungrateful. If a man falls into the water, let him drown. But if an animal falls into the water, save its …
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 …
English
This burnt orange and tan fabric features images of public works in Cameroon. Among geometric designs and columns of masks, photos of roads, bridges, buildings, trucks, construction equipment, etc. are …
UW: University of Wisconsin–Madison English
Textile produced for the African National Congress (ANC) during the Ramaphosa Presidency. The print features his name beneath his portrait on a green and black background. Text: A better life …
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 …
English
This fabric features the map of Swaziland (now Eswatini). The central yellow, red, and green map marks out the cities, rivers, and some different regions of the country. Surrounding the …
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 …
English
This is the fabric calendar manufactured by Vlisco in 1983. On a stormy blue background, the main image is an under-the-ocean scene featuring colorful fish and other underwater plants and …
Portuguese
Fabric promoting peace in Mozambique. The cloth contains a picture of a corn stalk and a drum in the middle, with the words "O futuro melhor" underneath. Beside it, there …
English
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. …
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 …
Gbaya
Commemoration cloth for the first Bible translation from Gbaya into French. The cloth contains picture of several people (both men and women) reading the Bible around a fire. The border …
Portuguese
The cloth was made for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams, which took place in South Africa …
Lingala
Fabric commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Cathédrale de Mshimbakye/Baraka. This cloth has a bold line background in black over yellow and white splotches. At the center, it features a …
English
This fabric was designed to commemorate World Teacher’s Day. The turquoise and blue colored background is decorated with letters, numbers, symbols, and abstract splatters in black and white. The repeating …
Arabic
This fabric was created for the 2016 celebration of the Islamic holiday of Mawlid, the observance of the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The fabric features images of scrolls …
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 …
English
Fabric produced to celebrate International Women's Day in 2013. Text (French and English) Journée Internationale de la Femme 8 Mars; International Women's Day 8th March. Text: Les changements climatiques sont …
Basa
This fabric commemorates the Log Pagal Tribal Organization in Cameroon. On a blue background decorated with golden petals in a star formation, the central emblem is a golden circle that …
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 …
English
Cotton shirt commemorating the 2001 Conférence des chef d'Etat de France et d'Afrique in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Text: Vive l'amitié Franco-Africaine; Yaoundé; Janvier 2001; 21ème conférence des chefs d'état de France …
English
This fabric displays a green and pink background using the company’s triangular logo as a motif. Text (French/English): Interim/Temporary; Prestation de services/Service delivery. The selvage reads "Emploi Services ST11382"
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 …
English
This cloth features a diamond pattern, with the center design displaying the letters of the alphabet. The diamonds at the top and bottom count from one to nine. The top …
English
Cloth celebrating the contributions of rural women to agriculture in Cameroon. The cloth features the names of the ten Cameroonian provinces, along with important agricultural products such as bananas, plantains, …