Now online from the French Archives nationale d’outre-mer are over 5000 images taken before the 1960s in France’s former African colonies. Among the other treasures in this important resource are a number of superb images of aspects of textile production in West Africa. A few highlights are shown below.
“The weaver prepares his thread” Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, 1930-60.
“Young Bobo girl spins thread”, photographer Berthier (Joseph, Louis), Burkina Faso (1945-1961)
“Loom” Burkina Faso, 1959 – some kind of craft training school probably.
“Dyers” photographer Chéron (Georges, Gustave, René) (1882 – ?), Kaya, Burkina Faso, (1908-1934)
“Dyers” – Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
“Tukolor weavers” photographer Puigaudeau (Odette du) (1894-1991), Selibaby (Guidimakha),Mauretania, 1934.
“Hausa embroiderer”, Niger, before 1930.
“Weaving fibres of “liane floria”” photographer Krull (Germaine) (1897-1985), Bafoussam, Cameroon, 1943
“Diola-Floup weaver” Ziguinchor, Senegal, before 1960.
“Weavers” photographer Verger (Pierre) (1902-1996), Bamako, Mali, 1935/36.
“Weaving bands of ‘galak’” Chad, 1932.
“Weaver prepares his equipment” photographer Marcel Monnier, Bondoukou, Ivory Coast, 1892.
“Sudanic loom” photographer Marcel Monnier, Ivory Coast, 1892.
