Tkaniny pagne jako kulturowe dziedzictwo mieszkancow Togo

• Authors: Jacek J Pawlik

Title variants

EN

WAX PRINT TEXTILES PAGNE AS CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE INHABITANTS OF TOGO

• Languages of publication: PL

Abstracts

EN

The paper discusses the role of print cloth in the life of West Africans, especially in Lomé, the capital of Togo. First, it describes the Asian and European origins of print cloth and its expansion in West Africa. While the technical production is European in origin, the symbols and ornaments are entirely African. This kind of cloth is of major importance for social life in Togo and it is highly valued. Every pattern has its name, which gives the cloth a symbolic significance. The colour of print cloth is sometimes prescribed for certain ritual and social occasions. The second part of the paper concerns the group of textile tradeswomen, called „Nana-Benz” in Lomé. Up to the 1980s they controlled the whole trade of wax prints from Europe. The last part presents the use of textile prints in fashion.

Keywords

EN

WEST AFRICA; TOGO; WAX PRINT TEXTILES; TRADITION; HERITAGE; COMMERCIALISATION; FASHION

• Publisher: Polskie Towarzystwo Ludoznawcze
• Journal: Lud
• Year: 2011
• Volume: 95
• Pages: 159-175

Contributors

author

Jacek J Pawlik

• Referat Misyjny Ksiezy Werbistow, Kolonia 19, 14-520 Pieniezno, Poland