Mud cloth hat

Mud cloth hat

Mud cloth (traditionally called Bogolanfini) is a cotton fabric which is hand-made in Mali using an ancient and extensive process of dyeing cloth with fermented mud. The fabric is all hand-spun, making 7 individual strips which are then sewn together. The entire piece of cloth is then dyed in tea made from the bogolan tree. This helps the designs painted in mud to stick to the fabric.

Mud cloth was always important in traditional Malian culture and is recognized today as a symbol of their cultural identity.  Originally used as a blanket, is exported to many countries now and is used in fashion, decorating and fine art.