Ancient Craft of Bark Cloth in Uganda

About Ugandan Bark Cloth

Bark cloth in Uganda is made from the inner bark of the Mutuba tree (Ficus Natalensis). The bark is harvested during the wet season, and can be harvested continuously for over 40 years without causing harm to the tree. Through a long and strenuous process, the bark is beaten with wooden mallets till it possesses a soft and fine texture. In Uganda, the resulting bark cloth is called "Olubugo." The shade of the bark cloth is determined by the level of exposure to sunlight, the more exposure to the sun the darker the cloth. In 2005, UNESCO proclaimed Uganda’s barkcloth “a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage of humanity”. To this day, it holds a very high cultural significance and is still worn by Buganda kings for official functions.

About the instructor:

"Ritah Nakandi is a social entrepreneur that is a great advocate of women’s empowerment. She is originally from Uganda and came to the United States 11 years ago for her graduate studies. While in Uganda, Ritah was in an organization that empowered women to run their small businesses. They educated the women in both rural and urban settings on how to manage their businesses, finances and guided them on opening bank accounts as well as matching them with mico-finance institutions. Presently, she works with women in Buganda and Acholi region. In 2013, Ritah graduated with a Masters degree in Business Management from Cambridge College. Having associated herself with artisans in Uganda, Ritah developed a passion for helping them by finding a market for their handicrafts internationally. Afri-root Collective was concepted to provide a much needed avenue of sales for the unique products handcrafted by these women."

https://www.bazaar.culturalsurvival.org/artists/afri-root-collective-c729g
https://www.afri-rootcollective.com

$15. If you would like to pay at the door, cash is preferred. email: [email protected] if you need to reach us before Sunday

Art Annex, HOPE ARTISTE VILLAGE, 999 Main Street, Unit 109, Pawtucket, RI 02860.

The Art Annex is located just past midway down the hall, in unit #109 on left hand side of hallway.

Parking is FREE: there is a lot across the street from the 999 Main Street main entrance. and there is plenty of street parking too!

Any questions in the meantime? email us at [email protected] or call Paper Connection's office at 401.454.1436 M-TH.