Man's wrapper c. 20th century

This man's wrapper was woven by Attapoue, though we don’t know exactly when. The cloth’s vertical stripes are filled with images of human and animal figures, as well as geometric patterns. The piece's structure and imagery may offer insights into the cultural and social context in which it was created. Textiles like this served as visual indicators of status and identity in many African societies, and were often connected with particular religious or social groups. This wrapper would have been worn to communicate specific messages about the wearer's position within the community. We could ask: what does the presence of animal figures signify? Are they clan symbols? Are they related to religious beliefs? What does this say about the wearer of the garment? Art historical research can give us the tools to uncover the social dynamics embedded in this object, reflecting on the place of textiles in society.