Printed on the occasion of major events, commemorative loincloths are emblematic elements of African history. These fabrics represent much more than just clothing, they reflect a cultural and political heritage deeply rooted in society.
In Côte d’Ivoire, for example, women from the generation of independence and the beginnings of the multi-party system treasure these historic loincloths. They are often stored in canteens, alongside dowry cloths and family jewels. These women, nicknamed “our mothers”, are the guardians of collective memory and thus perpetuate the tradition by preserving these precious memories.
Marie-Thérèse Camille N’Guessan, one of these women, proudly shows her loincloth bearing the image of former Ivorian president Henri Konan Bédié. This loincloth, published on the occasion of Bédié’s accession to power, has been carefully preserved for years. For her, it is a piece of history that she had the opportunity to wear during the ceremony, then carefully store in her suitcase.
These commemorative loincloths have a very strong symbolic charge. Norbert Yao Kouassi, a designer at Uniwax for several decades, created the first loincloth for President Félix Houphouët-Boigny, an emblematic figure of the independence of Côte d’Ivoire. This loincloth highlighted coffee-cocoa, a symbol of the country’s agricultural development. It was worn by many peasants at the time.
This practice of creating commemorative loincloths has become more popular over the years. Today, not only do political parties and churches produce these loincloths in their colors to mark major events, but even individuals do so, particularly during weddings and funerals. These fabrics then become symbols of pride and belonging to a community.
In a more festive register, the African Football Cup of Nations, organized by Côte d’Ivoire in 2024, will also have its own loincloth. A way to celebrate sport and African unity through iconic clothing.
In short, commemorative loincloths are much more than just clothing. They are the living testimony of the history, culture and identity of African people. Carrying a strong symbolic charge, they enable the values and memories of a nation to be transmitted to future generations.