Above is an example of the stunning fabrics the Yoruba of Nigeria create. I intend to become a collector, although this might be a pretty expensive hobby! The pieces are going for outrageous sums...have to find another place somewhere less touristy...
The cloth is dyed with handmade indigo ink, made by burning cocoa beans to ashes filtering this with water and letting indigo leaves steep in this mixture for 7 to 10days in the sun. The result is the unique blue of indigo. The cloths are hand dyed using string, raffia stitching and cassava paste (like wax) to spare out the lighter parts.
Went to the 'Colours in Africa Gallery' today where one can also purchase really nice original Nigerian clay art. Have to get some to take home but have to save up first. A little down the same road (it's not really a road but a dirt path with some hillocks, massive potholes, rubbish and stones) is Robert's Cafe which serves really good coffee and a variety of cakes and sweet treats. Cup of coffee sets you back about R30 though...mmmhhh.
Again I was stunned today after some basic shopping that everything is at least triple the price than in SA. Very expensive to live here!
Still waiting to hear when I will be going home-am counting the days now and pacing...
No comments:
Post a Comment