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Storytelling & Mudcloth Making!

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts hosted its free Family Day 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, celebrating the art and culture of Mali.


Storytelling and Mudcloth activities with Virginia Friends of Mali, dancing, performances by musician Cheick Hamala Diabate and DJ Mikemetic & the Afro Beta Drummers were featured, along with quilting demonstrations by the Sisters of the Yam African-American Quilters Guild, clay vessel demonstrations by Carren Clarke and woodcut print demonstrations by Dennis Winston.

Storytelling in the Library with the Alapini-Sakponou Women had it covered with these two books:

The Magic Gourd by Baba Wague Diakite
Sundiata: The Lion King of Mali by David Wisniewski



At the end of the storytelling, the group talked about the country of Mali, and used a map made of Bogolanfini, a textile decorated with natural leaf and mud dyes. Then they sent their visitors downstairs to the Bogolan making activity! 

Mudcloth Demonstrations

Children (of ALL ages), at least 92 of them, joined us in the lower level conference room to learn about the West African textile tradition of Bogolan (Mudcloth) making. See previous post for LOTS of info on that. Here are a few photos:


Learning together, Mother and daughter. 

ALL ages! 
Concentration. 


A "mudcloth" puppy!

This young Va Friend of Mali made a new piece every half hour or so and each piece grew in skill and exploration!

Daughter and Father inspiring each other's individuality.

A full range of interpretations: a lot of fun. 


Cheikh Hamala Diabate and his crew were there, too!!





A great time was had by all!
We LOVE doing this WORK!


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