Mali, Cooperative Djiguiyaso / Aïssata Namoko, Indigo Dyeing

Aïssata Namoko heads up Djiguiyaso, the Bamako-based cooperative that provides work for over 100 women in the textile industry in Mali. Using traditional bogolan tie-dyed with indigo, Djiguiyaso makes use of its artisans’ skills in crochet, weaving, spinning, cutting and sewing to produce 100-percent organic cotton cushions, bedspreads, curtains, dresses, handbags, tablecloths, throws and scarves. In 2010, the cooperative was recognised for its work by UNESCO. 

The Djiguiyaso Cooperative creates home textiles made from 100% cotton and natural indigo dye, bogolan gray, and ecru.  Indigo dyeing was created by their ancestors over 3,000 years ago, and Djiguiyaso has used their designs and techniques as inspiration for their current range. They use cotton grown in Mali and processed by CMDT (a Malian factory) into cotton fibre and transformed into yarn by Comatex (another Malian factory). The yarn is then given to the weavers for weaving the fabric, washing the fabric, fastening the fabric and then dyed with natural indigo. The opportunity for Djiguiyaso to be able to sell their products has modernized the Malian way of making indigo. 

To further follow the story of Djiguiyaso, please find them on social media here.