查看文章

West African prints have a long and remarkable history. Originally an imitation of Indonesian batik designs, the prints have been translated to and situated within the taste and material culture of sub-Saharan Africa and, over time, diffused across the rest of the world. The early prints mimicked Indonesian designs and folk themes, such as butterflies, scorpions, fish and trailing leaves. The broad wings of the sacred Garuda bird were also a common symbol in Indonesia and feature in most of the old prints. Some of those early motifs and designs, and their modifications, are still produced with local names conferred by both traders and consumers. The West African perception and interpretation of designs vary from region to region; the names and associations stem from popular culture, semiotic interpretation or events (political, social, cultural and many others) taking place in various localities across the region at the time the fabrics appear on the market.