Rare Early 1900s Arkilla Kerka Fulani Wedding Blanket – Mali

Rare Early to Mid 1900s Arkilla Kerka Fulani Wedding Blanket – Mali

This authentic Arkilla Kerka blanket is a rare and historically significant textile, handwoven by the Fulani (Peul) people of Mali in the early to mid-1900s. Created from a mix of hand-spun sheep’s wool and cotton, Arkilla Kerka cloths hold deep symbolic and social value within Fulani marriage traditions.

• Size: 76" x 56" (193 cm x 142 cm)
• Materials: Hand-spun sheep’s wool and cotton
• Technique: Six narrow warps of cloth handwoven and sewn together to form one piece
• Condition: Average vintage condition with several holes, worn areas, stains, and damages consistent with age and long use

Cultural Significance

Arkilla Kerka blankets were traditionally part of a bride’s dowry and used as marriage bed screens, suspended over the sleeping area to provide privacy and protection from insects. Beyond their practical use, these cloths were powerful symbols of a woman’s new status, the wealth of her family, and the artistry of her community. The colors, patterns, and weave structures often carried local or family-specific meanings.

Artistry & Craftsmanship

Handwoven on traditional looms, Arkilla Kerka blankets require exceptional skill and patience. The use of sheep’s wool provided warmth and durability, while cotton added softness and flexibility. The process began with spinning the yarn by hand, dyeing it with natural pigments, and weaving it into long strips or warps that were then meticulously sewn together.

Heritage & Collectability

Today, authentic early Arkilla Kerka blankets are scarce and highly collectible. They are appreciated not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their cultural importance in Fulani traditions. This piece, with its visible signs of age, carries the spirit of its long history and the lives it has touched.

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