kanga
- Museum number
- Af2003,21.12
- Description
-
A pair of identical, uncut, rectangular machine-printed cotton cloths, kanga, each with a narrow dark green border and three distinct blocks of pattern with small motifs in green, black and white.
- Production date
- 2003
- Dimensions
-
Length: 117 centimetres
-
Width: 334 centimetres (full cloth)
-
Width: 166 centimetres (of one kanga)
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- kangas are printed and purchased in pairs, then cut into single cloths before wear; this pair remains uncut. This type of kanga is known as kisutu and is traditionally worn at weddings by the bride and her friends and relations; the distinctive central pattern is known as 'crosses and tangerines'. As in this example, kisutu does not traditionally carry an inscription. Unlike other kanga designs, that of kisutu remains perennially popular in Tanzania and Kenya. Although printed in other colours, such as the green of this example, and variant designs, the traditional form and colour combination of red white and black remains the most popular.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- good
- Acquisition date
- 2003
- Acquisition notes
- Bought in the shop DUKA LA ABDULLA Biashara Street, Mombasa
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Af2003,21.12