pagne Baoulé

Baoulé is one of the largest ethnic groups in Côte d'Ivoire, mainly concentrated in the center of the country, which is where I also live. Historically, they are part of the Akan tribe that settled here from Ghana a few hundred years ago. They're a well established ethnic group, in fact many of the ruling politicians were/are Baoulé. They are also well known for their woven cloth, pagne Baoulé.

Leaving Yamoussoukro and heading north into the districts were we work, there are tons of weavers (always boys and men, I've never seen a girl do it) on the side of the road:
They sit in these loom/contraptions and weave ~5 inch wide swaths of fabric.
The swaths are then sewn together to make the pagnes. Here are the ones I've bought (so far...)
They are pretty heavy (when I was sick I used one as a blanket) but a lot of people here use them to make clothes (which I can't imagine because it seems like it be really hot).
This is my favorite because it is made from a bunch of different swaths. It's like a leftover piece but I think it's the coolest.

more pagne

This one has kinda dragon looking like things: Cool colors:

This one reminds me of fruit:

more fabric!

this first one is for another wedding of a colleague. i actually have never met this person so i don't think i'll go but i bought the fabric!

this one is kinda funky, but pretty. its hard to get a good photograph but its a dark purple background w/ light purple, brown, and turquoise dots.

first look at my dress!

Just stopped by the tailor's to check out the dress I am having made for a colleague's wedding... it actually turned out pretty cute. They are making some minor adjustments. You like?

Fabric!

I got my first piece of fabric today. A woman from the office is getting married and those of us attending from the office will be going en uniforme (i.e. everyone buys the same fabric, gets something made, and wears it to the same event - like the African version of those family pictures where everyone is wearing khakis and a white t-shirt).


You can kind of tell, the gold in the fabric is irrediscent-y. I'm glad my colleagues chose such a pretty fabric! Now I just have to decide on how I want to get it tailored... let me know if you have any ideas...

My newest digs

Do you say digs or diggs?

Here are some pictures of my house in Yamoussoukro:






My desk in my room












My bed, with mosquito net (knock on wood, I haven't had too many bites so far)

















Stars above my bed, left by the previous resident















The patio
Nice for stretching after a run, having lunch, etc









Note: New cushions were recently made for the patio furniture.








They have cats on them and say things like "Happy to you" and "Make progress"









Awesome.