Friday 11 October 2019

Other Fabrics: African Wax Prints

Young (2016: 306) states that African wax prints, also known as Ankara or Dutch wax prints are colourful African cloths. The cloth is an important part of the material culture in Africa especially in the lives of women where it serves multifaceted roles in daily life. The cloth offers mystical protection against dangerous forces in society and holds deep spiritual meanings when used as part of rituals. African wax prints are prized possessions bestowed at life-changing events, such as coming-of-age ceremonies, customary marriage rites and baby naming ceremonies(ibid).
African wax prints are produced in various colours with intricate geometric or floral patterns see figure 1. It is mainly used for traditional clothing but the fashion industries have also adapted the African wax prints. As I have mentioned the offers of the cloth I want to emphasize the importance of the cloth as part of the African culture.

Figure 1- Amooti Sharing Africa. (2017). Ankara Fabric. Wax Print. [ONLINE]


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