Anita Whittle made this 2 part film about Traditional Tie Dye and Batik in The Gambia,following her research between 1996-98. Today, 18 years later, the same techniques continue to be used. Part1: Dyeing with Indigo and Kola Nuts.
If you were buying in the small shops by the Serrekunda market in Gambia, you would ask for 'gara". This would be the indigo powder that is not made from the leaves of the indigo plant, but is the chemical equivalent. Indigo balls (made from fermented leaves from the indigo plant) are hard to find now in the Gambia. They are know in Mandinka ''kaaroo,"" Sarahuli "kaarafin" Fula "Ngra baly"and Wollof "chosane according to my indigo dyer friend Musa Jaiteh.
Beautiful art, made by very talented people. I would love to go and visit the place one day and join the locals to learn how to do Gambia's tie-dye. Any organized tour to go here?
@@abortionismurder4265 If i'm not mistaken, batik is indonesian wax resist technique. The Dutch brought them to Africa. It's become popular in africa but Indonesia barely get any credit there.
Of course they were paid when I made the film and also I bought their cloth and introduced them to new customers. One dyer Musa has since become a friend and I have taught him new techniques and introduced him to new outlets internationally where he can sell his products at a reasonable price
The kola nut dye has no chemicals added. The indigo dye traditionally used natural ingredients from plant matter. In the video caustic soda is used as well as liquid extracted from Wanda bush roots.( although this has been since replaced with sodium hydrosulphite.)
