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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Wolof
This fabric commemorates Senegal’s national week of reflection on science and technical knowledge. The background is divided into diamond and circular elements each containing images showing the use of science …
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
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
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 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
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 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 …
English
This fabric promotes the political party known as Union des Forces Démocratiques de Guinée (UFDG). It shows support for Cellou Dalein Diallo, the UFDG candidate for Guinea’s 2010 presidential election. …
English
This fabric was made for the political movement Société de Développement that was led by President Kountché in the late 1970s. The movement’s logo is the central theme. It shows …
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 …
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 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 …
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 …
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 …
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
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 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 …
English
This fabric commemorates the 10th anniversary of the political party Union Démocratique du Peuple Malien (Democratic Union of the Malian People), the sole legal party from its creation in 1979 …
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 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 …
English
Religious cloth made for the visit of Pope John Paul II to South Africa in 1995. This cloth features an oval portrait of the Virgin Mary surrounded by floral patterns. …
French
Fabric commemorating AFB, a women’s NGO in the Banifandou district of Niamey, Niger. The background displays a geometric pattern in blue. The central image shows a calabash bowl with intricate …
French
Fabric commemorating World Food Day in 1982. The black background shows images of maize stalks. The central image is of a national emblem that shows the outline of the country, …
French
This fabric commemorates the 1982 festival that took place in Agades, Niger. The black background features a pattern of blue symbols known as the Croix d’Agadez (Cross of Agadez). The …
English
This fabric features letters of the Latin and African alphabets. There is a diamond shaped emblem showing a hand holding a pen with the Nigerian coat of arms displayed above. …
French
This fabric commemorates the 1998 21st African Cup of Nations that took place in Burkina Faso. The bright green background features soccer balls throughout as well as the event’s mascot, …
French
This fabric commemorates Mali’s 1991 March Revolution and honors the lives lost. The green background features the acronyms of various political parties and national associations. The central image displays a …
Hausa
This fabric is part of a 1980s public health campaign to prevent the spread of Lassa fever, a vector born disease transmitted through rodents. The fabric features images of rodents, …
English
Cloth from the mid-1980s featuring Cameroonian President Paul Biya and his recently renamed political party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM). The party had previously been known as the Cameroon …
French
Fabric made for the national airline company based out of Bamako, Mali. The company operated from 1960 until 1990. The background shows a red, yellow, and black striped pattern. The …
Koyraboro Senni Songhai
This fabric is part of a project to promote a more environmentally friendly and efficient stove, the Mai Sauka. The blue and green backdrop features an image of two women. …
French
This calendar features a horserace scene above the 1989 calendar for January through December. The calendar promotes the Senegalese textile manufacturing company called Sotiba. The artwork was created by the …
French
Cloth made for the Cameroon national soccer team, the Indomitable Lions, who participated in the 1990 World Cup held in Italy. The Lions lost to England in the quarter finals. …
French
This fabric commemorates the 1982-1983 national championship for Lutte Traditionnelle (Traditional Wrestling) that took place in Maradi. This fabric features an image of two men wresting in traditional uniform. Below …
French
This fabric celebrates the 1995 FESPACO film festival which fell on the 100 year anniversary of the birth of cinema. It features the festival’s logo which shows a strip of …
French
This fabric commemorates the 2nd president of Senegal, Abdou Diouf. The cloth features Diouf’s portrait in the center along with the national motto. The abstract background shows a pattern of …
French
Shirt commemorating the Festival International des Francophonies in Limoges, France. The cloth features an outline of Zaire and has a border of musical instruments around the bottom hems. Text: Festival …
Fulah
Fabric commemorating a cultural festival held by the Malian organization Tabital Pulaaka. Tabital Pulaaku promotes and protects the arts and culture of the Fula people. The fabric features an image …
English
Cloth commemorating the 25th anniversary of Malawi independence. Vibrant red cloth with detailing at the borders. The red sun from the Malawi flag is bracketed by two roosters facing inward, …
Kanuri
Fabric made to commemorate the 3rd Congress of the Women’s Association of Niger (AFN) that took place in 1982. It features 6 emblems in 6 different languages. The emblem design …
French
Fabric made for the 7th Congress of the Chadian Progressive Party that took place in Fort Archambault, Chad. The cloth displays the national colors of blue, yellow, and red. It …
French
This fabric commemorates the life of John F. Kennedy. The top and bottom border features two hands shaking and a diamond design. The fabric features Kennedy’s portrait in the center. …
English
This fabric commemorates relations between former French President François Mitterand and former Senegalese President Abdou Diouf. The center features a portrait of the two leaders side by side. A floral …
English
Fabric commemorating a 1981 agreement known as the Senegambie Confederation between Senegal President Abdou Diouf and Gambia President Dawda Jawara. The cloth features portraits of these two leaders, Jawara on …