Wrapper
| Type: | Clothing - Garment |
|---|---|
| Object Name: | Wrapper |
| Local Name: | adire |
| Place Made: | Africa: West Africa, Nigeria, Oyo State, Ibadan |
| People: | Yoruba |
| Period: | Mid to late 20th century |
| Date: | c 1970 |
| Dimensions: | L 177 cm x W 164 cm |
| Materials: | Cotton; indigo dye |
| Techniques: | Plain woven; stencil resist dyed; machine-sewn |
| ID Number: | T00.42.13 |
| Credit: | Gift of Michael and Mary Mason |
The Yoruba people of Nigeria make indigo resist-dyed cotton cloths called adire, which are worn by women as wraparound dresses. The maker of this cloth cuts a design from a sheet of zinc, lays it on a cloth and applies a starch paste. Several dips in a bath of indigo dye turn the cloth dark blue. When the paste is removed, the covered areas emerge as a lighter pattern against the darker background.
