African Inspired Handmade Cushions
Africa is a continent rich with diverse languages, people groups and cultures. The clothing styles of many African countries have a rich history going back thousands of years and these days you can see Africans choosing to enhance their style and celebrate their heritage by donning these garments. Designs on cushions and fabrics are true reflections of the African culture, but the colours and symbols that decorate them are also important to understand.
African cushions that are made of fabrics in combined colours of red, gold and green represent the colors of the stripes of certain African countries, whilst cushions in black, green and gold combinations represent the colors of the South African flag. Kente cloth is known for its brilliant colors and designs and this cloth is frequently seen as a symbol of the African continent.
Colours reflects who you are and where you come from
Sometimes in each region of Africa, the style and colors of garments, cushions and cloths and clothes are a reflection of whom you are and where you are from. For instance, in certain parts of Nigeria, red is seen as a threatening colour which is worn only by chiefs. The colour is believed to keep evil away. In other regions, red is the color of achievement or success. Adinkra cloth is worn typically at funerals and farewells. Dark colored adinkra cloth in brick red, brown or black symbolizes death. Alternately, bright colored adinkra cloth in white, yellow or blue is worn for festive or happy occasions. .
Kente cloth for cushions is made by the Fante of Ghana has many different designs and colors with various meanings. Red is the symbol of bloodshed, green represents fertility and you can see it worn often during a young girl’s adolescence in the way she dresses. White symbolizes purity or victory. Yellow represents maturity or glory and chiefs frequently wear this color. Blue symbolizes love, and black represents aging.
Everyone wants to take a bit of Africa home with them
Knowing the symbolic meanings of color and design in African clothing, cushion covers, bed covers, and quilts helps one to have a greater sense of the culture and the rich history of the African styles that one can find today. Whatever your ethnic heritage may be, you can find an African style that reflects your identity and your good taste too. There are a lot of choices, but the variety and the quality are there for you to enjoy. There beautifully inspired African works of art are imported to many countries and tourists love to buy these colourful cushions, leather bags, carved stone works to take home with them to remind their friends of the splendours of the African continent.
African inspired handmade cushions are found in many African style art shops today in shops all over the word. People have hooked on to the magic and beauty of African original handmade products and import it to all corners of the earth. The areas of Africa where these products are made are poor, third world countries. Whenever you buy one of these products, you not only purchase the best original African craft at the best prices, but you are helping to give basic necessities to African people in need at the same time. Even when it does not seem like a lot of money to you; it can be enough for some people to buy food, clothing, or medical care.
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