Textiles that Travel: Nomadic Living in Africa examines the role of textiles—blankets, tents, and clothing—among nomadic cultures. It explores how cloth acts as a portable medium to foster such uses for people pursuing itinerant lifestyles. In doing so, it considers what we learn about the things people carry with them when they are on the move.
With an emphasis on Fula culture in West Africa, the variety of cloth uses represented in this exhibition demonstrate the strong presence and essential role of textiles in domestic settings for nomadic cultures. The power of cloth in nomadic life extends beyond the home to the ways in which people travel.
While this focus exhibition centers on textiles, it also displays exquisite and portable jewelry, including earrings, bracelets, and anklets from Fula culture.
