Totem Flexibility Brown

Through Behomm we’ve met many inspiring people, like Birgitta de Vos, artist from the Netherlands. Tireless traveller, Mali is a country she has visited and ended up creating the AAAA project with Lidewij Edelkoort, Haram Sidibe, Sam IJsbrandy and more people to support the local community by creating pieces like these totems.

This is a Bogolan textile art piece. A traditional Malian handmade cotton fabric dyed with fermented mud.

Creating a Bogolan is a intensive cooperation between people. All stages are done by hand. From picking the cotton, spinning, weaving, dyeing and painting. They use locally grown herbs to dye and mud from the Niger river to paint the patterns.

The native plants used hold medicinal properties. Traditionally the cloth is believed to have the power to absorb dangerous forces released in life-threatening circumstances. That is why a Bogolan is also referred to as ‘medicine cloth’.

Their ancestors taught them to make patterns holding a variety of protective and beneficial properties. AAAA added a contemporary twist. Their symbol language is filled with meaning to support wellbeing during our passage through life.

AAAA is supported by the Ethical Fashion and Lifestyle Initiative.

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DESIGN AND HANDMADE: 
Atelier Autodidacts Anti-Algorithms (AAAA)

Sold individually

Made in Mali

MATERIALS
Cotton dyed and painted with herbs and fermented mud and wood

MEASURES
- Small: 12 cm width x 150 cm length. 240 gr approx.
- Medium: 14 cm width x 200 cm length. 310 gr approx.
- Large: 17 cm width x 250 cm length. 470 gr approx.

INSTRUCTIONS
Dry clean only.

Do not expose to water.

Iron at a low temperature. Do not use the dryer.

* Please note that as handmade pieces they all have imperfections and vary among them. You will not receive an exact replica as in the photo shown; each piece is unique.