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
WorossagniPanther teeth, a symbol of respect
ColonCowrie shell (formerly used as money)
DjabibifaraPineapple skin
ForogodjourouRope of a sack
SouranogoMonkey tail, with panther teeth
GnanoroniClosed eyes
ForogodjourouEnd of a rope
