The message of the signs

by on in Design

Characteristic of Bogolan fabrics are the natural earth and plant colours, but also the sometimes lush, sometimes more discreet patterns. In the early days of this dyeing technique - it is about 300 years old - symbols were often used in the design of the patterns, which had a deeper meaning. They referred to characteristics and virtues of people and showed typical things from working life and everyday life. Even the number of children a woman had given birth to was visible on the shawl she wore around her hips. There was a star for each child. She hid the part of the cloth with the stars under another layer of fabric so that it was not visible.

Today, Bogolan artists mostly no longer pick up symbols from the past, but work with modern patterns and designs - which, like everywhere else in the world, are subject to trends and are revised with each new collection. Only now and then does a shape recall a historical sign; for example, the small triangles that are supposed to show parts of calabashes (storage vessels made from hollowed-out pumpkins). The circles symbolise a house where the fortune is kept (see photo).

Please click: Click here for the overview - Meaning of the historical symbols