African Mud Cloth!

One of my own personal favorite interior decoration designs, and an extremely popular one currently, is African Mud Cloth. Intricately created by craftsmen in Africa, these pieces of cloth are beautiful and of incredible quality. 

Before working on our own creation, we watched a video of this beautiful girl sharing about the heritage of Mud Cloth in Africa. 

I also share a power point presentation about the cultural heritage, the process of creation, and symbols that are often used. 

After that, we are ready to try it out ourselves - now, it wasn't quite as accurate as the real stuff, but I think they turned out pretty beautiful! 

You'll Need: 

Shallow boxes

Square or rectangular pieces of muslin or cotton cloth

Paint brushes (preferably the sturdy bristled ones) 

*I recommend doing this outside if possible! 

Mud Paint Ingredients: 

Water

Soil (I used rich, dark top soil) 

Black ink (I used block print ink/paint) 

1. Mix together 

2. Paint your design! 

3. Leave the wet mixture on the cloth, the pieces of extra dirt brush/fall off easily once the mud has dried. 

Finished Products! 

West African Biography Griot Mask Project

As a our project assessment for our study on Medieval West African Empires, I have students conduct research on a Medieval West African leader. 

Griot masks were an important part of West African culture. They were used to tell stories of ancestors and to keep their legacies alive. Playing off this cultural tradition, I have students create a unique griot mask of their West African leader using elements from their biography to create unique designs, symbols, or colors on the mask. 

Some Great West African Leaders: Mansa Musa, Queen Amina, Queen Nzinga, Shaka Zulu, Shamba Bolongongo, King Sonni Ali, King Mwana Ngana Ndumba Tembo, Queen Asantewa, King Oba Oduduwa, King Bahanzin Hossu Bowelle – aka. The Shark King, and more! 

NOTE: I am aware that some of these leaders were after the "Medieval" period, but the goal was exposure to West African leadership, so I allowed any leader up through colonization. 

I feel my students did a fantastic job of blending their biographical knowledge along with the creation of unique Griot Mask! 

If you are interested in this WEST AFRICAN BIOGRAPHY GRIOT ACTIVITY, it is available on my TPT.