Country Cloth
Woven Runner
Bonthe country cloth refers to the traditional handwoven, heavy cotton textiles produced in the Bonthe District and Sherbro Island region of southern Sierra Leone; it is deeply tied to local Mende and Sherbro weaving traditions. Country cloth, known in some communities as kondi-gulei, is the oldest continuously produced handwoven textile in West Africa. Bonthe country cloth often features geometric patterns, and bold warp stripes, typically alternating bands of indigo, cream, brown, and white.
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Handwoven from locally grown cotton, the crafting process is complex, multi-stepped and labor intensive. Local cotton fibers are carded and spun into heavy-grade thread. Yarns are traditionally dyed with natural, elements like indigo leaves and kola nuts for deep blue and rust-brown shades.
Historically, country cloth functioned as currency: a royal or chief's declaration of status, a high-value dowry or gift across Sierra Leone and Liberia. As a symbol of power, country cloth was not a garment, but rather a transfer of accumulated value, a record carrying the full weight of Liberian civilization. Contemporary regional training programs and community development efforts, such as Peace Corp initiatives, work to preserve this heritage.
Title: Tablecloth
Date: 2012
Geography: Bonthe, Eastern shore of Sherbro Island, Southern Province of Sierra Leone
Medium: Cotton
Dimensions: H. 55 in. W. 13 in.
Provenance: Gift from Erica Mapp
Inventory Number: SL.01
