Origine of the Pagne Baoulé

Pagne Baoulé is a traditional fabric handmade in Ivory Coast. The fabric finds its name in the Baoulé, Akan people who, around the 17th century, migrated from Ghana to Ivory Coast. They brought with them the art of weaving which has been passed onto generations.

Steps to create a Pagne Baoulé

1- It starts by weaving the cotton balls in order to create threads
2- The threads are then bleached and dried out in the sun
3- The threads are dyed and left out again to dry in the sun
4- The craftsman arranges on the small loom the threads according to the design he has in mind
5- The craftsman starts weaving a thin stripe (around 15cm wide) which can be up to 10m long
6- The stripe is cut into 9 or 11 smaller stripes and sewn together with a zigzag sewing point to create a cloth.

Pagne Baoulé is traditionally worn during festivities or special events. However, nowadays, fashion designers and home decorators tend to use it in a more contemporary way.

The manufacture of handmade textiles is a very long process which requires patience and dexterity. At La Cotonnerie, we treasure those textiles and value the work behind. We are also happy to make you discover some traditional crafts.

Pagne Baoulé at La Cotonnerie

Our Pagnes Baoulé are second-hand and are perfect if you want to bring some color to your home. You can also unsew the small stripes and create a completely new item. You just need to let your creativity flow!

Do not hesitate to discover our collection of Pagne Baoule Collection !

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