Kilubukila Mandombe Collection Revitalises Kuba Cloth Textiles Through Congolese Language, Craft and Design
Mandombé meaning ‘That which is black’ is a script that was created in 1978 in Mbanza-Ngungu in the Bas-Congo province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Wabeladio Payi. The script, based on the square shapes of the numbers 2 and 5 is intended to write the country’s national languages and has inspired designer Jess Kilubu to explore using script and shapes to revitalise traditional Kuba Cloth Textiles. Jess is the founder of Kilubukila, a textile brand based in Kinshasa, the DRC.
Initially funded by the British Council the project started out as a collaboration between female artisan weavers in the DRC and linguists to translate the Mandombé script into contemporary patterns that could be woven into cloth. The resulting Mandombé Collection is a colourful line of cushions, and black and natural rugs featuring the graphic shapes of the script. Drawing upon the centuries-old skills of Kuba cloth weaving the Mandombé Collection textiles are handwoven using organic raffia.
By using the Mandombé Script Jess seeks to bridge the gap between craftsmanship and design and tell the stories of the DRC’s peoples, culture, and heritage. Committed to exploring Congolese craft and design Kilubukila is introducing a new design language and create products that can contribute to sustainable livelihoods for those the company partners with.
– Tapiwa
Additional details:
For further information about Kilubukila visit: https://kilubukila.com
[Image credits: The images shown belong to Kilubukila. If downloaded and used elsewhere please credit accordingly.]
thanks so much for promoting our ‘african Script
Le MANDOMBE EST UNE FORCE QUI REVIFIE L’ESPRIT COLLECTIF AFRICAIN.
MAIS cette force du continent africain réside dans sa jeunesse,
une jeunesse qu’il faudra d’abord recycler pour
qu’elle parvienne à s’accepter en tant que telle.
Une jeunesse qui doit s’assumer par l’amour de son
territoire (faune, flore, etc.) par-dessus tout autre herbe
verte avoisinant ses frontières.
Cet aperçu suscite des questionnements édifiants :
Pourquoi donc fuirais-je
ma terre mère et nourricière pour aller vivre ailleurs ?
Y a-t-il au monde un seul endroit mieux qu’ici où je trouverais tant
de repas succulents, tant de chaleur, tant de bouffées
d’air pur, non polluées ?
Nulle part, nulle part ailleurs…
Voilà pourquoi j’aime l’Afrique et j’y demeure ; pour rien
au monde je ne la quitterais pour aller m’installer
ailleurs.
Elle est, de toute évidence, mon paradis, mon
jardin terrestre originel.
english version:
Mandombe is a force that revitalizes the African collective spirit.
But this force of the African continent resides in its youth,
a youth that must first be reshaped to
accept itself as it truly is.
A youth that must embrace itself through love for its
territory (wildlife, flora, etc.) above any other green grass
beyond its borders.
This insight raises enlightening questions:
Why would I flee
my mother and nourishing land to live elsewhere?
Is there anywhere in the world better than here,
where I would find such succulent meals, so much warmth,
so many breaths of pure, unpolluted air?
Nowhere, nowhere else…
That’s why I love Africa and remain here; for nothing
in the world would I leave it to settle elsewhere.
It is, quite clearly, my paradise, my
original earthly garden.