Experience the best of African fashion at Kofar Mata dyeing pit

Kofar Mata Dyeing Pits is located at Muritala Mohammed Road, Kano, Kano. This is where you may want to come first if you are a fashion-savvy person.? The local artisans work to ensure that they produce stunning designs on the clothes that would be sold to people.

You can come here to learn how the dyeing business works and also buy yourself some fabrics. These fabrics are very affordable compared to what you may get when you are buying from the market. A tourist will experience, firsthand, the process of dyeing fabric, and may even purchase one of the finished works for a small stipend.

The dye pits said to be over 500 hundred years old, produces materials dyed in various shades of blue and indigo colors to the ancient Trans Saharan traders. This valuable export material was used in the ancient kingdoms of West Africa.

The rehabilitated pits are situated along with kofar mata gate and the age-long tradition has continued with the dyers producing beautiful patterned materials dyed in the indigo colors. It is quite interesting watching the traditional dyers at work using the same age-long method of dying. The sheer age of the market overwhelms a visitor, and its significance as a symbol of Kano's glory cannot be ignored.

Production techniques included weaving followed by tie and dye: the fabrics were formed by the weaving process using raffia, silk, and cotton and then dyed in blue indigo.

Dyeing was carried out in Zaria as well as in Kano. Today, only the famous Kofar Mata dyeing pits of Kano has survived and has now become a tourist site. the site continues to be a tourist center as many are fascinated with the authenticity of the process and the maintenance of a long-lasting traditional method of dyeing fabrics.

Although Heidi Nast claims the Royal Kano Court women had exclusive rights to indigo textile dyeing, the Kano dye pits in Kofar Mata were established in 1498 close to the City?s central mosque and Ganuwa (historical Kofar Mata gates).

These dye pits became a tourist center as many were fascinated with the authenticity of the process and the maintenance of a long-lasting traditional method of dyeing fabrics. Dyeing in Kofar Mata involves dipping woven fabrics or yarns into fermented dye solutions made from indigenous dyes obtained in the region.

Most common visitors are Traders and Tourists

Visiting time; you can visit the dyeing pits at any time and season. It is important to note that if you go during a festive season like Sallah then you might meet lesser men at work.

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You should also check out this detailed travel guide to Kano. It contains everything you need to know to ensure you have an amazing stay in the city.

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