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
- 65
Organization
- 1
Language
- 33
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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 …
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.
English
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 …
English
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 …
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
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
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 …
Portuguese
This design commemorates the national holiday as well as the 3rd Meeting of African and Spanish Women. The blue background features the outline of the Croix d’Agadez (Cross of Agadez), …
English
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 …
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 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 …
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
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 …
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, …
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
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 …
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 …
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." …
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 …
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 …
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 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, …
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 …
English
A blue kente stole with stripes of white, burgundy, yellow, black, and green. In large letters it reads: "Congratulations 2007 Graduate", with the wearer's name and high school name at …
English
A black kente stole, with stripes in red, yellow, black, green, and white. It features the Adinkra symbol of Gye Nyame, which represents the supremacy of God. The text reads, …
French
Cloth celebrating Chadian women and their contributions to future of Chadian society. This cloth features a simple repeating pattern of a portrait of a women with the symbol of Chadian …
Lingala
Cloth promoting Primus beer, a product of Bralima Brewery. Bralima was founded in 1923 and is now owned by Heineken.Text: Bière; Pelisa ngwasuma. Translation: Beer; Light up the nightlife [Lit.: …
Portuguese
This cloth commemorates Olympic gold medal-winner Maria Mutola's campaign against HIV/AIDS. Text: Maria de Lourdes Mutola [sic]; Os seus filhos precisam de si; SIDA. English translation: Your children need you; …
Akan
Commemorative cloth celebrating President Barack Obama's visit to Ghana, July 10-11, 2009 Text: Barack Obama; 44th President of the United States; Akwaaba. Translation: Welcome. Produced by Akosombo in Accra, Ghana.
English
A dress produced to celebrate the women's day. It contains two women, one holding a child. In the background, there is a yellow map of Cameroun. There are several small …
French
Dress made for the Bassa Synod featuring the major towns within the region. This cloth was made for the Bassa Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Cameroon. It features the …
English
This cloth celebrates International Women's Day 2012 and also the contributions of Cameroonian women to the future of the country in the domains of agriculture, education, and technology. The background …
French
This top 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 blue …
French
This blue and gold cloth features a calendar for 2009 underneath an abstract image of a two women in a city scene. The image and the calendar are bordered with …
English
A blue kente stole with stripes done in white, burgundy, yellow, black and green. Features the Asante seat of leadership.
English
This black kente stole features stripes in green, white, maroon, and yellow, in addition to the graduate's name, the university, and year of graduation. It includes the symbol of the …
English
A black kente stole commemorating a graduation in 2014, with stripes of color done in white, burgundy, green, and yellow. It also features the symbol for the Asante seat of …
English
At the center of this cloth is an image of two presumably Brazilian players in yellow jerseys (Ronaldo on the left) kissing the World Cup. The portrait border is done …
English
Fabric produced to celebrate Eto'o's nomination to the final rounds of The 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year. The dress has the picture of Eto'o in the middle. Produced …
English
Cloth commemorating the UN Decade for Women Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya in July 1985 This cloth features a world map at the center with the UN Women symbol (a …
French
A cloth created to stand up against and condemn sexual violence perpetrated against women and children. The cloth also commemorates the National Day of Women, March 8, 2009. Text: Stop …
English
This graduation kente stole is in the school colors (red and white), with the words "UW Madison" and "MSC", the latter standing for "Multicultural Student Center".