Mudcloth is making waves in homes across the world. What is Mudcloth you may ask? Mudcloth or Bogolan is a handmade fabric from the Malian culture. It's made by stitching narrow pieces of handwoven cotton and then hand painted using a variety of dyes including aged river mud.
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| Saga Tours |
What's a trend to many, is a tradition for the people of Mali, that has carried on for hundreds of years. Traditional Mudcloth is intricately made and the patterns displayed hold specific meaning such as wealth, war calls, family, and bravery. Today, Mudcloth is taking over in home décor and fashion. It's on pillows, throw blankets, vases, wall prints, and so much more.
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| TJMaxx/HomeGoods |
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| Etsy |
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| Amazon |
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| Etsy |
Mudcloth can be tied into boho or even farmhouse décor as well as many other styles. On my recent trip to HomeGoods, I found many Mudcloth inspired items.
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There are so many beautiful patterns and I appreciate the craftmanship. Most of the Mudcloth prints we are seeing in stores is a replica. This is a great way to make it accessible to people who may not have any other means to obtain it. But if you live in a town that has an African shop, consider paying a visit. Speak with the people and purchase a yard of authentic cloth. I'm all about trends and love to see how they change each year, but I do make a conscious effort to not exploit a culture's identity for the sake of being "on trend". Sometimes the best way to pay homage to something is to learn more about it so that if you do have it in your home, it's not just "for show" but something you can educate others about.
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| The African Fabric Shop |
Check out a couple of African stores that sell authentic Mudcloth that I have linked below.
Tess World Designs
Afro Centric Network
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