Indigo

Indigo-dyed fabrics and clothing have become a booming trend in the Western world, lately, and at first glace it's not hard to see how such a beautiful, deep, and rich color could win the hearts of so many. Recently, I stopped by one of my favorite shops to wander around in on a Portland rainy day, Cargo, and came across a tall cabinet bountiful in Mali Indigo mud cloths of various sizes. As I stood there unfolding one-by-one, laying them on the floor to see their unique patterns, and feeling their individual textures, I became curious about the richness of the culture which creates such beautiful works of art. And so, I turned to one of my best friends who always has the answers: Google.

In my researching, I learned that there are deeply significant stories and carefully placed symbolism from long-withstanding tribes in Africa that are laboriously poured into these fabrics themselves over the span of weeks. I also learned of the different roles women and men of the village play in this ritual task. One particular cloth, the bogolanfini, is a cloth that literally stays with you over your entire life; it wraps the body at childbirth and at death. This fabric is more than just a foot-of-the-bed throw or a wall tapestry, it is a "profoundly traditional fabric at crucial stages of life" for many women, and "with men, it is used by hunters as camouflage to protect them from spirits".

Often I find that the depth of the cultural significance behind an object or practice, is what gives it richness and meaning in everyday life. In this case, the beautiful blue Indigo dyed fabrics we've all come to know and love are far richer than (probably) most of us know. It's true that I will have an extra appreciation for my recently acquired Mali indigo mud cloth in knowing as much.