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Embroidered Woman's Wrapper

Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

20th century

Not on view

The Wodaabe, also known as Bororo, are among the last nomadic peoples of Africa. A sub-group of the Fulani, they live in the steppe region of central Niger, between the Sahara desert and the grassfields. Yearly, Wodaabe clans assemble, and young men of two lineages compete in beauty. Richly embroidered tunics, complex jewelry and make up are among the adornments worn by men on this occasion. Young women, gathered to observe and taking active role in the ceremonies, also wear special wrappers and shirts for the occasion. Such wrappers, made of strips of textile imported from neighboring Nigeria, are enhanced with colorful embroidery, filled with symbolic significance.

Embroidered Woman's Wrapper, Cotton, dye, Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Embroidered Woman's Wrapper, Cotton, dye, Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

Embroidered Woman's Wrapper, Cotton, dye, Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

Embroidered Woman's Wrapper, Cotton, dye, Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

Embroidered Woman's Wrapper, Cotton, dye, Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

Embroidered Woman's Wrapper, Cotton, dye, Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

Embroidered Woman's Wrapper, Cotton, dye, Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

Embroidered Woman's Wrapper, Cotton, dye, Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

Embroidered Woman's Wrapper, Cotton, dye, Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

Embroidered Woman's Wrapper, Cotton, dye, Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

Embroidered Woman's Wrapper, Cotton, dye, Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

Embroidered Woman's Wrapper, Cotton, dye, Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

Embroidered Woman's Wrapper, Cotton, dye, Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

Embroidered Woman's Wrapper, Cotton, dye, Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

Embroidered Woman's Wrapper, Cotton, dye, Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

Embroidered Woman's Wrapper, Cotton, dye, Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

Embroidered Woman's Wrapper, Cotton, dye, Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

Embroidered Woman's Wrapper, Cotton, dye, Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

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Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Embroidered Woman's Wrapper

Date: 20th century

Geography: Niger

Culture: Fulani peoples, Wodaabe group

Medium: Cotton, dye

Dimensions: W. 57 in. (144.8 cm)

Classification: Textiles-Costumes

Credit Line: Gift of Eve Glasberg and Amyas Naegele, 2013

Accession Number: 2013.1140.10

Chronology

Western and Central Sudan, 1900 A.D.-present

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