2024-01-31 09:20:21
Located 34 km north of Yamoussoukro, the village of Bomizambo is different from others in Ivory Coast. Stronghold of weavers, it is renowned for the manufacture of the Baoulé loincloth, very popular in Ivory Coast in traditional ceremonies, but also in other African countries. In this town populated by Baoulés, the country’s majority ethnic group, the ancestral art of weaving is passed down from father to son to perpetuate the craft. In the middle of Can, Sud Quotidien takes you to discover this locality which brings to life the Ivorian artisanal heritage.
The journey to the village located 34 km north of Yamoussoukro towards the town of Bouaké takes approximately 40 minutes by taxi. All along the road, the beauty of nature seduces with its coconut trees, banana trees, papaya trees and even its cassava plantations. We can also see weavers’ workshops and groups of women working around the production of attiéké. Fruit sellers in front of a few villages along the road add to the decor. On site, under a large shed at the side of the road, woven loincloths of all kinds and all kinds of colors are available to us. Welcome to Bomizambo, the capital of Baoulé loincloth. This traditional African fabric is worn during baptisms, Easter weekends and dowry ceremonies in Ivory Coast and even beyond the Ivorian borders.
In this village populated by Baoulés, the majority ethnic group of Ivory Coast representing 30% of the population, weaving the Baoulé loincloth is the main economic activity of the populations.
It’s 9:30 a.m. this Saturday, January 27. The climate is a little mild. Under the shade of several trees, behind the exhibition shed, men of all ages weave tirelessly. Sitting on wooden boards, their feet on the pedal boards, they move back and forth incessantly with their hands firmly holding a polished wooden shuttle. Others, sitting on the ground, form spools of thread that stretch several meters. The welcome from the villagers is warm, with a cheerful air of welcoming and being able to show off their loincloth to strangers.
“Weaving is our main activity. We only know this profession. We learn it very early. Here, we work from 4 a.m. until 6 p.m. Nearly 200 people work here every day. Everyone is in their workshop called 4 wood company where they weave in strips. The strips thus obtained are assembled using a machine to form a loincloth which is displayed together under the hangar. It’s a kind of village cooperative. We make loincloths of 1.80m and the person who is very experienced can make a strip in two days and a maximum of two weeks to make a loincloth. explains Bonaventure, a young weaver.
Weaving, from father to son
Bomi as people call it (land of happiness in Baoulé) has, in fact, built a reputation with its legendary woven loincloth. Here, know-how has been passed down from father to son for generations. “We introduce children to weaving at the age of six or seven, even if you go to French school. So, when the child does not succeed in his studies, at least he has his job. Most of the people who work here went to French school but due to lack of means, they gave up and started weaving.», confides Bonaventure. The Baoulé loincloth is made of cotton threads, polyester or even silk. “The cotton with which we make the threads is called kognami. We buy it in Bouaké. Synthetic threads are also used to make loincloths. They are the cheapest,” another weaver named Hervé tells us. He adds : “We have several varieties of Baoulé loincloth. There is the high quality Baoulé loincloth. Nonkanfian for example which is made from cotton. It is the most expensive of the loincloths. For average quality, there is the pkêta that we give to children who come to learn weaving. We give it to them so he can practice on it. We also have benitagnon and for simple patterns, there are, among others, kloualama, awlimba.”
Varied patterns, diverse colors, everyone will find something for their taste at prices that depend on the quality. And depending on whether you are a man or a woman, the loincloths differ in their patterns and are sold in pairs. « Prices vary from 190,000 Fcfa for nonkanfian to 15,000 Fcfa for pkêta. The adjaledor which is used in religious and customary ceremonies costs 160,000 F. the craftsmen tell us. They sell their products in detail or through orders.
In Bomizambo, only men weave
In Bomizambo, only men weave. History of respecting tradition. “It was our great parents who wanted it that way. According to them, a woman should never weave in the village. It’s part of our habits and customs. On the other hand, elsewhere, you can meet women who weave”informs Hervé.
Despite the fact that the Baoulé woven loincloth is very popular in Ivory Coast and in certain African countries, the weaving is still done in an artisanal manner. “I’ve been here more than 20 years but I’ve never seen anyone come here to talk to us regarding installing a factory. All work is done by hand, roll unwinding, dyeing, design confession, weaving. Sometimes it’s painful but we’re used to it. Weaving is our favorite sport,” confides Bonaventure. However, the young artisan is not once morest modern fabric manufacturing techniques.
The Baoulé loincloth is, in fact, indicative of the tradition of the Baoulé people. Among them, wearing this loincloth is a sign of wealth and prosperity. Having become an essential asset in the expression of Ivorian culture, the fabric is also used in decoration to make “Made in Ivory Coast” products. Since 2015, the village of Bomizambo has hosted a festival every year called “Tchin Dan” (Big day, in Baoulé) which aims to promote the Baoulé loincloth.
By Mariama Djigo, Omar Diaw, Abdoulaye Thiam (Special Envoys) and KAGUEYE (Special correspondence)
1706703404
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