Mud cloth is a very trendy and versatile textile that’s quite popular. It’s rooted in a century-old art form and looks very chic. Mud cloth is also know as ‘Bogolanfini’ in the Bambara language. The cloth hails originally from Beledougou, a town that is located in Mali, West Africa. Like most African textiles, the symbols or patterns on mud cloth tell unique tales. These stories may document social status, wise sayings or special occasions in history. I am not surprised by this because mud cloth naturally has a lot of cultural significance. The textile is made from 100 per cent cotton and is considered a huge marker of Malian identity. Today, the textile is being exported worldwide for use in fashion, art and decor. Here are five ways to style your home with mud cloth.
Curtains: Having browsed the internet for hours, I came across a great website to buy curtains from at Society6. They have a wide selection of mud cloth curtains to choose, ranging from the classic black and white look to the statement earth tones.
Pillows: If you are looking for some cool accents for your living space or bedroom, consider giving these African mud cloth pillows a try. They add a fresh monochromatic look to any space for a minimalist style without all the clutter. Get them from Restoration Hardware.
Coasters: Feeling for a drink? Consider placing your glass or mug on one of these coasters made by Reflektion Design. They come as a set of six pieces and have different variations of the mud cloth textile. It is made out of durable materials with a firm backing for grip and support.
Table runner: Pull out this mud cloth table runner the next time you are having guests over for dinner. Serve a delicious meal over this rich luxurious fabric and relish the cultural conversations that will ensure from it. The pattern outlines on each one varies. Get it from CB2.
Dog beds: Give your furry friend a cute home with this one-of-a-kind mud cloth dog bed from BackupDesign on Etsy. For convenience, it comes with a removable and washable cover and can be super comfy!
I’m a seasoned communications and marketing consultant with a penchant for all things stylish and chic. Follow me on social media and subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates on industry trends and much more!
Thank you for the cultural lesson Jamila. I particularly like the table runner from CB2.
Madeline
http://www.madelinewilsonojo.com
Author
Hello Madeline,
I hope you are doing well. Yeah… that table runner is particularly cute. Did I mention that it comes in a nice off-white colour as well? Perfect for entertaining!
Hi Jamila, thanks for including our coasters in the round up!
Author
Hello Anitra,
You are welcome! Loving the ease and simplicity of those coasters. I am also sure the your newly designed mugs would fit in this category as well.
Those pillows are calling my name. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Black and White.
Berry Dakara Blog
Author
Black and white is undeniably cool. Glad you love it!!! 🙂
I love this black and white fabric. Why is it called mud clothe tho?
Author
Hello Kiba,
Mud cloth is actually made with mud. So, in the Bambara language, spoken in Mali, the word bògòlanfini is a composition of three words. Bogo, meaning “earth” or “mud,” lan, meaning “with” and fini, meaning “cloth.” The word is translated as “mud cloth.” I will have to write another blog post about the process of making mudcloth! 🙂