Cloth (Ukara)
Igbo
1 of 40
Object Label
Ukara are made exclusively for members of the Ekpe society, an interethnic men’s association found throughout southeastern Nigeria and western Cameroon. The designs are part of a dynamic language known as nsibidi, which uses image and gestural performance to communicate knowledge guarded by society members. Ukara cloths are made for a specific individual, who chooses designs of personal significance.
To make ukara, artists stich designs onto cotton cloth in raffia and then dip the cloth multiple times in indigo until it reaches the desired shade of blue. The sturdy raffia prevents the indigo from penetrating to the cotton underneath, leaving white patterns visible when the raffia is removed. Some remnants of raffia can be seen on this cloth.
To make ukara, artists stich designs onto cotton cloth in raffia and then dip the cloth multiple times in indigo until it reaches the desired shade of blue. The sturdy raffia prevents the indigo from penetrating to the cotton underneath, leaving white patterns visible when the raffia is removed. Some remnants of raffia can be seen on this cloth.
Caption
Igbo. Cloth (Ukara), 20th century. Cotton, indigo, 60 × 79 × 1/16 in. (152.4 × 200.7 × 0.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by Frieda and Milton F. Rosenthal, 1990.132.6.
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
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