South African Shweshwe: Printed Cotton Story
Tom Renshaw·Published
What Is Shweshwe?
Shweshwe is a stiff, printed cotton fabric synonymous with South African identity. Originally dyed in indigo, it now comes in brown, red, and other colors.
Historical Origins
The fabric traces to the 1840s when French missionaries gifted indigo-printed cloth to Moshoeshoe I.
Manufacturing
- Patterns etched into copper cylinders
- Discharge paste removes color from pre-dyed fabric
- Crisp, two-toned print with stiffness
