Locally we work closely with 4-H Groups, Schools, Guilds and Museums as well as with Renaissance and Re-Enactment Groups. Globally, we work with and are suppliers to: Arhangai Wool Training & Marketing Projects for Mongolian natives to work at home or in small co-operative shops. Aided by Peace Corps Volunteers, all products are made of natural materials available in Mongolia and with respect for Mongolian traditions. In this same vein, we work with and are suppliers to the African Effort in Dakar to assist native peoples in becoming self-sustaining. It is also a source of pride and pleasure to work with projects that aid and assist the Navajos & other Native Americans, and we work with and are suppliers to Australian Co-ops as well.
Members of Segui-So, Banamba, Mali. Photos © Janet Goldner, 2008.
The history of cotton cultivation and weaving dates from the Mali Empire. Sundiata is said to have introduced the cultivation and weaving of cotton into the area. In the 14th century the Mali Empire became rich trading cotton and salt. The cultivation of cotton and rice was encouraged under the French through large irrigation projects and a new railroad connected the interior to Dakar on the Western coast. Mali is one of the largest producers of cotton in Africa.
Most of the cotton is baled and shipped to Europe and the US with very little value added in Africa. Yet the spinning, weaving, dyeing of cotton in Africa has a long deep place in West African culture. Women spin the cotton, men weave it and women dye it. Cotton cards are a very deep cultural symbol. Everyone remember their mother or grandmothers spinning. But the lack of a source of cards makes the practice difficult.
Before spinning the cotton into thread, it is first necessary to comb the fibers, like combing your hair, in order to produce a fine and consistent thread. There has not been a factory to fabricate cotton cards in West Africa since 1958. Rural women are denied a livelihood due to the lack of the cards. Lalla et SeguiSo, SARL is an association of women in Banamba, Mali who are organized to spin cotton and import cotton cards.
We are proud to be associated with the centuries-old tradition of Rug Hooking and are members of ATHA.
We are regular contributors to:SOAR and Convergence Indianhead Sheep Breeders Tennessee Sheep Producers Assoc. |
We advertise in:Spin-Off Magazine Rug Hooking Magazine Sheep! Magazine |