BARK CLOTH
TABLE OF CONTENT
Abstract……………………………………………………………………………..3
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction………………………………………………………………………...4
Literature review……………………………………………………………………5
History……………………………………………………………………………...6
CHAPTER TWO
Materials, method and processes……………………………………………..…….8
Planting Mutuba tree…………………………………………………………..…...8
Extraction of bark cloth…………………………………………………….………9
CHAPTER THREE
Present bark cloth…………………………………………………………………11
Roles of artists and designers……………………………………………………..14
Sourcing…………………………………………………………………………..14
CHAPTER FOUR
Properties………………………………………………………………………….15
Fiber characteristics……………………………………………………………….15
Fabric morphology………………………………………………………………..15
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………...16
References………………………………………………………………………...
ABSTRACT
The United Nations educational scientific and cultural organization [UNESCO] proclaimed in
2005 that Ugandan barkcloth largely produced from Mutuba tree (Ficus natalensis) as a master
piece of oral and heritage of humanity
1
,Bark cloth is a non-woven fibrous textile produced from wild figs and mutuba tree. Material
commonly produced in Uganda for hundreds of years. Typical backcloths has a rich terracotta
and worn by royal families chiefs kings and religious ceremonies
Processed by stripping inner barks of bark [bast] of tree and cleaning. The bast fiber is then
placed in salty water often causing it to [ferment/ret] break down into a sticky substance. It’s
then spread on a flat surface and beaten with a wooden beater. It widens, lengthens and becomes
thinner and is let to dry. For decoration purposes, its soaked in dye bath or brushed during
beating process. Designs can be carved on wooden pieces and stamped on fabric as design prints
Some of the feature of the material includes but not limited to: it’s bio-degradable, cheap, light
weight and can be used for heat insulation and composite material
It drawbacks is that it’s hydrophilic in nature, tedious and lengthy extraction processes due to
lack of extraction machines
Common colors used in the dye bath include and not limited to: brown, pink, red, green, and pale
blue to blue and yellow
2
, CHAPTER ONE: MATERIAL ANALYSIS
THE BARK CLOTH
INTRODUCTION
With world being focused on use of green energy and green production, efforts are made by
designers around the world to invent and recommend production of recyclable bio-degradable
materials and products with minimum or zero emissions
The ecological green image of cellulosic fibers is the leading argument for innovation and
development of products that are bio-degradable and can be applied in various fields like
automotive engineering, geo-textiles, building and construction and agricultural products.
According to UNESCO, bark cloth production in Uganda has been there for over six centuries.
It’s produced via a series of pummeling process and is confined to cultural regalia won at
coronations by agenda kings in central Uganda and utilized at funerals and witchcraft practices
Skills transfer from elderly to youth as was the custom has been hindered by rural-urban
migration and modernization. In 1970s-80s the practice was declared illegal by government but
was reviewed in 19190s. This led to reduction of craftsmen who were marginalized. It also faced
stiff competition from textile imports from Asia especially china.
Various design-value addition processes via engineering of the fabric has led to its use in
different design fields applications
3
, LITERATURE REVIEW
According to Mutabaazi, Omutaka(Chief) Augustine Mutumba, a hereditary head of Kkobbe
Clan ‘bark cloth was traditionally popular for clothing, beddings and also used as a wrapper for
the dead. In addition, "Ow'essiga Kakinda manufactures and sews the bark cloth which the king-
to-be adorns for the coronation ceremony,”
Bark cloth is a respected clothing item for burial and other cultural ceremonies for several
communities in Uganda. In Tooro kingdom found in the western part of Uganda, the Engabo
(Kings Guards) are identified from the common people by bark cloth uniforms that they wear
when on duty. In Bunyoro kingdom, also found in the western part of Uganda, bark cloth is as
significant as it is in the Buganda kingdom; bark cloth has a special place in their cultural
settings.
In modern times, the Olubugo (bark cloth) is used as an alternative to the canvas by painters due
to its varying textures and unique lasting capabilities when well handled. Bark cl is used as an
alternative to the canvas by painters due to its varying textures and unique lasting capabilities
when well handled. Today bark cloth is worn by men and women like a toga, with a sash around
the waist for women. is worn by men and women like a toga, with a sash around the waist for
women.
The common bark cloth has a terracotta color, but the bark cloth of the kings and chiefs is dyed
white or black and worn in a different style to underline their status. Its use has spread from
being worn at coronations and healing ceremonies, funerals and cultural gatherings to being used
for curtains, mosquito screens, beddings and storage and today the production of bark cloth has
prospered with many workshops in almost every village in the Buganda kingdom just as it was
before the abolition of cultural Institutions in Uganda.
Back cloth is scientifically used in hospitals. It contains medicinal properties like cork, phellem,
and microbial flora. It has the ability to suck out water and preserve dead bodies; it also works
just as goose in hospitals. When it is wrapped around a dead person, it is believed that the person
will be wholly preserved for over fifty years. The fabric will suck out the water from the body
and the body will not decompose
Introduction of cotton cloth by Arab caravan traders in the nineteenth century, production slowed
down and eventually faded out and reducing the wearing of bark cloth to particular cultural and
spiritual functions. Mutabaazi(2007). Mr. Male adds that the decline of bark cloth production
was also due to the 'blind' following of western religions especially Christianity that branded
everything African tradition devilish and as a result of this, it created discrimination and the
number of bark cloth makers declined and they became marginalized in society
4
TABLE OF CONTENT
Abstract……………………………………………………………………………..3
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction………………………………………………………………………...4
Literature review……………………………………………………………………5
History……………………………………………………………………………...6
CHAPTER TWO
Materials, method and processes……………………………………………..…….8
Planting Mutuba tree…………………………………………………………..…...8
Extraction of bark cloth…………………………………………………….………9
CHAPTER THREE
Present bark cloth…………………………………………………………………11
Roles of artists and designers……………………………………………………..14
Sourcing…………………………………………………………………………..14
CHAPTER FOUR
Properties………………………………………………………………………….15
Fiber characteristics……………………………………………………………….15
Fabric morphology………………………………………………………………..15
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………...16
References………………………………………………………………………...
ABSTRACT
The United Nations educational scientific and cultural organization [UNESCO] proclaimed in
2005 that Ugandan barkcloth largely produced from Mutuba tree (Ficus natalensis) as a master
piece of oral and heritage of humanity
1
,Bark cloth is a non-woven fibrous textile produced from wild figs and mutuba tree. Material
commonly produced in Uganda for hundreds of years. Typical backcloths has a rich terracotta
and worn by royal families chiefs kings and religious ceremonies
Processed by stripping inner barks of bark [bast] of tree and cleaning. The bast fiber is then
placed in salty water often causing it to [ferment/ret] break down into a sticky substance. It’s
then spread on a flat surface and beaten with a wooden beater. It widens, lengthens and becomes
thinner and is let to dry. For decoration purposes, its soaked in dye bath or brushed during
beating process. Designs can be carved on wooden pieces and stamped on fabric as design prints
Some of the feature of the material includes but not limited to: it’s bio-degradable, cheap, light
weight and can be used for heat insulation and composite material
It drawbacks is that it’s hydrophilic in nature, tedious and lengthy extraction processes due to
lack of extraction machines
Common colors used in the dye bath include and not limited to: brown, pink, red, green, and pale
blue to blue and yellow
2
, CHAPTER ONE: MATERIAL ANALYSIS
THE BARK CLOTH
INTRODUCTION
With world being focused on use of green energy and green production, efforts are made by
designers around the world to invent and recommend production of recyclable bio-degradable
materials and products with minimum or zero emissions
The ecological green image of cellulosic fibers is the leading argument for innovation and
development of products that are bio-degradable and can be applied in various fields like
automotive engineering, geo-textiles, building and construction and agricultural products.
According to UNESCO, bark cloth production in Uganda has been there for over six centuries.
It’s produced via a series of pummeling process and is confined to cultural regalia won at
coronations by agenda kings in central Uganda and utilized at funerals and witchcraft practices
Skills transfer from elderly to youth as was the custom has been hindered by rural-urban
migration and modernization. In 1970s-80s the practice was declared illegal by government but
was reviewed in 19190s. This led to reduction of craftsmen who were marginalized. It also faced
stiff competition from textile imports from Asia especially china.
Various design-value addition processes via engineering of the fabric has led to its use in
different design fields applications
3
, LITERATURE REVIEW
According to Mutabaazi, Omutaka(Chief) Augustine Mutumba, a hereditary head of Kkobbe
Clan ‘bark cloth was traditionally popular for clothing, beddings and also used as a wrapper for
the dead. In addition, "Ow'essiga Kakinda manufactures and sews the bark cloth which the king-
to-be adorns for the coronation ceremony,”
Bark cloth is a respected clothing item for burial and other cultural ceremonies for several
communities in Uganda. In Tooro kingdom found in the western part of Uganda, the Engabo
(Kings Guards) are identified from the common people by bark cloth uniforms that they wear
when on duty. In Bunyoro kingdom, also found in the western part of Uganda, bark cloth is as
significant as it is in the Buganda kingdom; bark cloth has a special place in their cultural
settings.
In modern times, the Olubugo (bark cloth) is used as an alternative to the canvas by painters due
to its varying textures and unique lasting capabilities when well handled. Bark cl is used as an
alternative to the canvas by painters due to its varying textures and unique lasting capabilities
when well handled. Today bark cloth is worn by men and women like a toga, with a sash around
the waist for women. is worn by men and women like a toga, with a sash around the waist for
women.
The common bark cloth has a terracotta color, but the bark cloth of the kings and chiefs is dyed
white or black and worn in a different style to underline their status. Its use has spread from
being worn at coronations and healing ceremonies, funerals and cultural gatherings to being used
for curtains, mosquito screens, beddings and storage and today the production of bark cloth has
prospered with many workshops in almost every village in the Buganda kingdom just as it was
before the abolition of cultural Institutions in Uganda.
Back cloth is scientifically used in hospitals. It contains medicinal properties like cork, phellem,
and microbial flora. It has the ability to suck out water and preserve dead bodies; it also works
just as goose in hospitals. When it is wrapped around a dead person, it is believed that the person
will be wholly preserved for over fifty years. The fabric will suck out the water from the body
and the body will not decompose
Introduction of cotton cloth by Arab caravan traders in the nineteenth century, production slowed
down and eventually faded out and reducing the wearing of bark cloth to particular cultural and
spiritual functions. Mutabaazi(2007). Mr. Male adds that the decline of bark cloth production
was also due to the 'blind' following of western religions especially Christianity that branded
everything African tradition devilish and as a result of this, it created discrimination and the
number of bark cloth makers declined and they became marginalized in society
4
