Tie Dye in Bamako, Mali

By Kwadwo Opoku | Jan. 21st 4:21pm

Bamako Tie and Dye, which involves the use of naturally occurring tree based dyes and fabric is currently booming. This is primarily because the traditional methods of creating the cloth have been made more efficient as the years went on, which made it easier and more cost effective to produce.

Unfortunately, this is in stark contrast to the rest of the African cloth dyeing market as it is, since they typically follow the traditional ways which lag behind in our currently fast moving world.For example instead of creating the fabric from the trees(which requires several days of preparation and considerable manpower), these fabrics are often imported in mass quantities from other countries, such as Germany and Austria.

The inks themselves are created in that village, but instead of each fabric dyer making their own, the entire village makes a one huge pot of dye, which they all use in creating fabric. Once again, this allows them to be more efficient, while retaining the natural touch which customers love and adore.