Cloth in West African History

by Colleen E. Kriger

In this holistic approach to the study of textiles and their makers, Colleen Kriger charts the role cotton has played in commercial, community, and labor settings in West Africa. By paying close attention to the details of how people made, exchanged, and wore cotton cloth from before industrialization in Europe to the twentieth century, she is able to demonstrate some of the cultural effects of Africa's long involvement in trading contacts with Muslim societies and with Europe. Cloth in West African History thus offers a fresh perspective on the history of the region and on the local, regional, and global processes that shaped it. A variety of readers will find its account and insights into the African past and culture valuable, and will appreciate the connections made between the local concerns of small-scale weavers in African villages, the emergence of an indigenous textile industry, and its integration into international networks.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Fashion

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[AskHistorians]

This could be described as equal parts social, fashion, and economic history. Krieger delves into the history of cloth as a trade item, as well as how the textiles industry in West Africa intersects with cultural and religious fashion preferences.