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African wax prints, Dutch wax prints or Ankara are omnipresent and common materials for clothing in West Africa. They were introduced to West Africa by Dutch merchants during the 19th century, who took inspiration from native Indonesian designs. They are industrially produced colorful cotton cloths with batik-inspired printing.
One feature of these materials is the lack of difference in the color intensity of the front and back sidesThe success of the trade in West Africa prompted other manufacturers, Scottish, English, and Swiss manufacturers, to enter the market.The Dutch wax prints quickly integrated themselves into African apparel, sometimes under names such as “Veritable Dutch Hollandais,” and “Wax Hollandais”.
Women used the fabrics as a method of communication and expression, with certain patterns being used as a shared language, with widely understood meanings. Many patterns began receiving catchy names. Over time, the prints became more African-inspired, and African-owned by the mid-twentieth century. They also began to be used as formal wear by leaders, diplomats, and the wealthy population
Content created and supplied by: Daniella Akyaw (via Opera
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