Woven Potential

Africa is known for its bold, unapologetic use of colour. Stories are told in pigments, tones and hues; a kaleidoscope as diverse as the cultures and peoples of the continent. For the initiative Colours of Africa, a collaborative project with Google Arts & Culture, we asked 60 African creatives to capture the unique spirit of their country in a colour which represents home to them.

The projects they have created are personal and distinct stories of Africa, put into images, videos, texts and illustrations. Each artist has also attempted to articulate what being African means to their identity and view of the world.

Colour: Woven Earth
Country: Djibouti

Artwork Rationale:

Weaving is a traditional craft in Djibouti that has been passed down for generations. Women of Djibouti have turned to weaving as both a creative outlet and an income-generation activity. Handwoven products have become synonymous with the region and evolved over the years to now incorporate contemporary designs, materials and colours. The handcrafted and woven products are popular with tourists and crafters like myself have started experimenting with products and forms to cater to the international demand. The artwork conveys both the legacy and heritage of my village (note the colour of the grass used traditionally for weaving) as well as a future full of potential.

Biography:

Kadiga Aboulkader is 40 years old, married and the mother of five children. She became a weaver at the age of 15; her mother and aunt were her mentors. She is proficient at basketry and also makes mats, trivets, milk containers, tapestries and more.

Kadiga is a member of the association ACVA that aims to preserve the heritage of Djiboutian handicraft and to protect the environment of their village, Ardo-Bankoualeh. She participated in several training workshops for artisans initiated by the Djiboutian Social Development Agency to improve the design of the products.

The opening of the association’s shop in Tadjourah City allowed Kadiga and four other women from the village to settle in Tadjourah City so that their children could access education. Since then, Kadiga’s income has increased tremendously; she rents a room in Tadjourah City, where she spends nine months of the year with her children. She then goes back home to the village of Ardo for the remainder of the year.