Malinke motifs: a sampling, by Amidou Coulibaly

Courtesy of Amidou Coulibaly, a master Malinke weaver. This is a very small sampling of the motifs that he weaves, as supplementary floats, into his cloths. Included are the Dioula names and meanings of these symbols.

click on any of the motifs

Worossagni
Panther teeth, a symbol of respect

Colon
Cowrie shell (formerly used as money)

Djabibifara
Pineapple skin

Forogodjourou
Rope of a sack

Souranogo
Monkey tail, with panther teeth

Gnanoroni
Closed eyes

Forogodjourou
End of a rope

Forogodjourou
End of a rope

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