African textiles originate from various locations and countries across the African continent.
There are of course, many differentiating features.
Among these differences are textile styles, weaving techniques and materials used.
Dyeing methods, decorative symbols and the utilitarian purpose of the textile, also differ all across Africa.
The weaving technique most widespread for African textiles is the use of the horizontal loom.
The horizontal loom is easy to transport.
The technique of horizontal weaving results in that the strips are easily sewn together to create the cloth.
The technique of strip-weaving is centuries old. The Tellem people inhabiting Mali had mastered this technique.
The use of the horizontal loom to weave textiles soon spread to other West African countries.
Kente cloths, Ewe cloths and Aso Oke cloths are fine examples of African textiles.
In Mali, woven cloth production continued but a new technique and style of cloth developed.
This strip-woven textile is the bògòlanfini or mud-dyed cloth.
Dyed with fermented mud, the dyed with fermented mud, the bògòlanfini has an important place traditional Bambara culture of Mali.
As mentioned earlier, in African textiles, there is also a tradition of weaving natural fibres as well as leather.
The Kuba cloth, or raphia textiles produced in Central Africa are woven on portable looms.
The African textiles of the Kuba, woven from the leaves of raphia palm can have embroidery, appliqué work, cut-pile and resist dyeing techniques.
Niger also has a tradition of African textiles.
The Wodaabe costume or tunic is a unique and finely embroidered costume worn during the Gerewol festival.
The indigo bands are the work of Yoruba master weavers and the Wodaabe embellish the fine indigo cloths with symbolic embroideries.
Traditional mats woven from reeds and leather, a textile found in the Tuareg tent, is finely rendered with complex geometric patterns.