Early 20th century, 241 x 234 cm, West Africa, Cameroon

Dyed in the batik technique and always simply in two colours, indigo and white, cotton fabrics of this kind were joined into large rectangular covers known as ndop by the women of the Bamiléké tribe. The Bamiléké inhabited the grasslands of Cameroon, hence the yarn they employed was plaited grass. Due to their dyeing technique, the abstract designs of stripes and pattern blocks seen in ndop textiles appear to be drawn in chalk onto the blue ground. Use of these visually very impressive textiles was reserved to the chieftains of the tribe. Old photographs show that the covers were extended to create dividing walls separating the ruler's quarters. At assemblies the chieftain would be seated at the centre of a ndop cover, after which nobody was allowed to step on the cover, which thus defined a restricted area. - Good condition.