My friend, Leanne Manthenga, who lived and worked in Zimbabwe for 4 years helped me get started on this little mission by providing me with the following information she used to use to advertise materials she sold as part of her market stall in Zimbabwe...
Chitenge is the local name for a piece traditional African printed material of around 2x1 metres. This fabric is found in many areas of Africa (in Kenya it is called Kanga)
Chitenge is used by local women in many ways including as clothing, worn wrapped around the waist or shoulders, for carrying babies on the back, as a grocery bag and for filtering dirty water . It is also sewn into dresses, headscarves and shirts for men, even more modern Africans, who would wear western style clothing everyday, wear Chitenge to special ceremonies such as weddings ad funerals.
Originally this cloth was woven from grasses collected in the bush, but when people from India began trading with Africans, they introduced woven cotton material. The material, decorated in bright colours and patterns, often reflecting African life, with anything from pictures of everyday objects , animals and floral patterns. The material is even used as a political advertisement, when it is adorned with the faces of tribal and political leaders.
Chitenge’s patterns reflect local culture, and its use is engaged in all parts of society and African life, it is rich in culture and history.
I have had many discussions with Leanne, as alongside her market stall, she founded a charity called Rose of Charity (www.roseofcharity.org) to help street children in Victoria Falls, providing food, clothing, blankets, vital medication, and most importantly, a friendly face to children with no families, or homes.
It struck me how rich and culturally diverse their fabrics were, when often people living in poverty in Africa, cannot even afford to buy a blanket to keep them warm at night. The rich cultural history of the materials, contrasted so strongly with the poor impoverished lives that many people in Africa lead, that we thought it would be nice to use my project for a greater purpose - to raise awareness and hopefully some much needed funds to buy them some blankets of their own!
Therefore, on the presentation day, Leanne will be joining me, and alongside my quilt, she will talk about her work with the children in Victoria Falls, showing pictures and providing information about the valuable work her charity does to help them. There will also be a chance for you to donate some money at the end to a very worthy cause.
My project now has a greater meaning and value, to children thousands of miles away, and I am very proud to be part of it, even if I do get to keep my lovely quilt at the end! :)
