A Fusion of African Culturally Rich Fabrics Around Our Home
There’s a quiet kind of power in fabrics that have intrigued me ever since I set foot on the African continent - they tell stories. Next to adding color or texture to a space—they carry history, identity, and the spirit of a people that gathers in community under the shade of leafy, decades old trees. In our home, we made the conscious decision that every corner, every cushion, wall piece, throw or rug will be a whisper or a song from somewhere meaningful. Welcome into the world of our favourite culturally rich fabrics that weave depth into our space.
Mud Cloth (Bogolanfini) – Mali
Most commonly found in Black and Golden, White & Black or Ocre, the Bogolan is made from handwoven cotton strips with a raw grain that remains visible, dyed with a mixture of fermented African Birch (N’Gallama Tree) leaves and mud and dried in the sun—an ancient process practiced by the Bambara people of Mali.
Each symbol holds a message often passed down through generations . In our home, mud cloth grounds the space with it’s earthy, graphic, and deeply soulful identity through throws and floor cushions, wall hangings and even garments meant for the collectors conscious wardrobe.
Black & Golden Mud Cloth; White Mud Cloth; Ocre Mud Cloth
Shuka Cloth – The Maasai Tribe of Kenya & Tanzania
Maasai Shuka Cushions in the Family side of the Livingroom
Our boldest cushions come from the Maasai Shuka—a vibrant red and blue checkered cloth worn by the Maasai people living in the Maasai Mara and Serengeti National Parks of Kenya and Tanzania.
Shuka Cushions and The MOYO Kimono Details
A symbol of bravery, strength, and resilience this fabric was inspired by the Scottish tartan, embraced by the tribe into brighter, lively colors and kept as a signature textile. We made it into outdoor seating and floor cushions for the energy and touch of nomadic elegance it brings. Even garments have found a translation of this story filled fabric through The MOYO ‘Plains of Mara’ garment collection.
Kuba Cloth – Democratic Republic of Congo
BaKuba as window cover in applied technique. BaKuba as cushions in pulled technique.
Adorning both the formal side of the living room and metal library these pieces are a tapestry of time. Woven by the Kuba people, the cloth is made from raffia palm leaves, dyed with natural pigments, and stitched with bold geometric patterns. Each one is meticulously handmade - the base by men, the intricate details by women through applying another layer of palm or through pulling loose palm strands. Whether small or large each cloth is a tactile experience where one can feel the texture of the process.
BaKuba Wall Hanging; Mud Cloth cushion in the foreground
We have fully embraced Kuba as wall hangings and lumbar cushions to tie a space imbued in the African handmade of Nigerian Chairs and our own design metal furniture made with Kenyan welders.
Aṣọ̀-Òkè – Yoruba Tribe, Nigeria
Golden Aso Oke as Layered Wall Hangings/Covers
Woven on narrow looms in strips that are then attached together, Aṣọ̀-Òkè (“top cloth”) is traditionally worn during important Yoruba ceremonies—weddings, festivals, and rites of passage. Its weight, shimmer, and dignity turn any space into a celebration. In our home these works of art are covering our living room walls, leyered into simplicity, an ode to the Wabi Sabi aesthetic of touched by time and tales full of ancestral pride, yet luxurious and regal.
Bamileke Feather Crowns – Cameroon
Not a fabric in the traditional sense, but no cultural home is complete without the soft explosion of a Juju hat on the wall. Worn by royalty during ceremonies, these handmade feather crowns symbolize prosperity, protection, and connection. We sprinkled them in pink, red and yellow as a bright living room accent to add warmth to the concrete walls and the playfulness so welcome in a family room.
Juju Feathers Family side of the Livingroom
Our Loft Apartment or Guest House finds them blending in on grey walls above black metal railings in the narrow hallway leading to the Loft bedroom. style them above the sofa or bed as a quiet focal point of softness and strength.
Black & Grey Juju Feathers
Why We Do It
More than a space, our home is a living story. Every fabric, every thread, connects us to makers, histories, and landscapes far beyond our walls. These pieces speak of remembrance, respect, and rootedness.
They are an invitation to style with meaning, to collect with conscience, and to let your home speak in all the beautiful languages that unravel the thread of your lives’ stories.