dear internet: help me with my homework

[kalmn]

Originally uploaded by kalmn

my mom gave me this. it is allegedly from africa. any thoughts from anyone as to where in africa? east, west, north, south, central, nowhere because it's obviously made by someone in nebraska?



little picture is the front side, big picture is the backside, the shiny things are metal put in as if by a stapler but they're not staples like came from office depot staples.

Comments

[sageincave.livejournal.com]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulle_bi_telli

The staple technique sounds similar to that used for assuit or tulle bi telli - but the modern stuff that bellydancers love is stretchy net. This looks like a plain weave cloth, am I right? Do you think it's cotton, linen, or something else?

I don't remember seeing a shirt with that kind of net ornamentation. Is that some kind of white trimming at the joints of the hanging net, or is frayed?

Another link - does the fabric look like this close up?
http://www.gildedserpent.com/articles27/najialace1.htm

Sorry for not answering your question. This technique is currently used in North Africa, but I'm not sure of the spread.

[kalmn.livejournal.com]

wow. yeah, i think that's the same staple technique. it is a plain weave cloth. i don't know about cotton vs linen, though.

super cool. thank you!

[j00j.livejournal.com]

I asked my college roommate, who is a white person from the US who has worked in Niger for 3 years and Ghana for 2 and done some traveling for work to other countries-- mostly around West Africa, but she's also spent time in South Africa, Ethiopia, and Kenya-- she gets around, and pays attention to clothing. So, for what it's worth:

Her opinion: "The cut and cloth would suggest something african, but the design, fringe and metal bits seem unafrican. None of the patterns are familiar to me either and by now i've been to a lot of africa. My verdict: not african but made to pass for african."