This is beautiful Piece of African Mucloth from the Dogon Tribal People of Mali. Bogolan cloth or mudcloth once despised as rural non-Islamic, peasants cloth has transformed into a symbol of national identity for Mali. The creation of most Bogolan cloth begins in the Beledougou Bamana area north of Bamako. The manufacture of this cloth is a long painstaking, laborious, process. It is woven by men on the local version of the narrow strip loom. First raw materials are hand processed and woven into plain white cloth strips about 12 centimeters wide. After the cloth is washed and allowed to shrink while drying, it is then soaked in a brown solution made from pounded Bougalan tree leaves and other ingredients made by specialists. The mud that is used is collected from the deepest sections of the ponds. The mud is left to ferment in a covered pot for about a year. During this time it turns black in color. The potted mud is diluted with water when needed. The designs are drawn on the cloth section by using various width spatulas made of small pieces of Bamboo and flat metal. The main larger sections are marked off while lying flat on the ground. The smaller more detailed work is done on a woman’s lap with the section placed over a calabash.The mudcloth patterns and designs are all so unique and would be a lovely piece addition to add to your collection or home. Shows some age, but in good condition 66 Inches Long38.5 Inches Wide AT BACARA WE STAND BEHIND ALL OF OUR MERCHANDISE.FULL MONEY BACK GUARANTEE WILL BE PROVIDED FOR DISSATISFIED CUSTOMERS. YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR MAIN GOAL, AND WE THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AT BACARA. #17A