Object Details
- Label Text
- Raffia--a fiber obtained from the leaf of the raffia palm--was the primary textile fiber for groups living in the entire northeastern half of the island of Madagascar. It remains popular in some regions, particularly in along the east coast of Madagascar, where women make short raffia wrappers for themselves and smocks for their husbands. The men of this region continue to wear proudly the raffia smocks woven by their wives as a sign of love. Made of the finest leaves and woven so tightly they are water-resistant, raffia smocks are suitable for men's work in rice fields and forest.
- Preparing raffia fiber for weaving is arduous work for women. The youngest palm leave are selected and cut. The leaves are then scraped lengthwise and combed into fine strips. Meter-long strips are knotted end-to-end to create a continuous yarn. Threads are dyed with natural and chemical pigments and woven. Raffia cloths's characteristic striped designs were achieved by weaving fibers dyed with natural and chemical pigments.
- Raffia textiles remain popular in Madagascar where it continues to be used for wrappers, tailored clothing, and as fashion accessories such as hats and handbags. During the nineteenth century, coastal-grown raffia was traded in great quantities to the central highlands where textile fibers were in short supply. The highlanders spun, dyed and wove the raffia into a cloth so fine that it served as tribute to the sovereign.
- Provenance
- Purchased in Beforona village, Madagascar, 2000
- Content Statement
- As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
- Image Requests
- High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
- Data Source
- National Museum of African Art
- Maker
- Madame Krisy
- Betsimisaraka artist
- Date
- 2000
- Credit Line
- Museum purchase
- Medium
- Raffia, dye
- Dimensions
- L x W: 70.6 x 64.1 cm (279 3/8 x 25 1/4 in.)
- Type
- Textile and Fiber Arts
