Object Details
- Label Text
- Traditional weaving continues to evolve with new materials, colors and patrons. Since 1975 Ewe weaver Bobbo Ahiagble has combined weaving demonstration tours abroad with life as a master weaver and teacher in Ghana. His works find both local and foreign clients.
- Sized to be used as a woman's wrapper or skirt, this cloth is made of narrow strips covered almost entirely with supplementary weft patterning. Considered by the Ewe to be their most beautiful and difficult design, this overall pattern is call worgagba, which means "corn power" (corn is the most important daily food among the Ewe peoples). It differs from the small inserted geometric and figural designs more often found in Ewe weaving.
- Bobbo wove a similar cloth for his wife in honor of the birth of their youngest son.
- Description
- Rayon woman's wrapper composed of twelve four inch strips sewn together with each strip covered almost entirely with supplementary weft patterning.
- 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 Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks.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
- Gilbert "Bobbo" Ahiagble, 1944-2012, Ghana
- Ewe artist
- Date
- Late 20th century
- Credit Line
- Museum purchase
- Medium
- Rayon, dyes
- Dimensions
- H x W: 200.7 x 129.5 cm (79 x 51 in.)
- Type
- Textile and Fiber Arts
