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Source Description
A <em>lamba</em> is an untailored textile worn by all ages, classes, and genders across much of Madagascar. The lamba <em>akotifahana</em> takes its name from the weft-float motifs (akotifahana) that adorn it. Weavers added extra weft (horizontal) threads to make them. Representing the final production of lamba akotifahana during the Merina Kingdom before French colonization (1897), this example is densely covered with motifs.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
703450
label
Wrapper (Lamba Akotifahana)
core
obj
dtoType
object
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
703450
contentType
object
title
Wrapper (Lamba Akotifahana)
description
A <em>lamba</em> is an untailored textile worn by all ages, classes, and genders across much of Madagascar. The lamba <em>akotifahana</em> takes its name from the weft-float motifs (akotifahana) that adorn it. Weavers added extra weft (horizontal) threads to make them. Representing the final production of lamba akotifahana during the Merina Kingdom before French colonization (1897), this example is densely covered with motifs.
date
1800s
rights
CC0
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
genreSpecific
Textile
imageCount
1
source
import
dimensionsRaw
Overall: 175 x 226 cm (68 7/8 x 89 in.)
cul
Madagascar, Merina Kingdom
accession
2025.272
Source extras
tec
Silk (Bombyx mori)
tombstone
Wrapper (Lamba Akotifahana), 1800s. Madagascar, Merina Kingdom. Silk (Bombyx mori); overall: 175 x 226 cm (68 7/8 x 89 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Sundry Art - African Art Fund and Textile Fund, 2025.272
collection
African Art
didYouKnow
The motifs on this weaving are not symbolic; the weaver chose them for aesthetic reasons.
creditline
Sundry Art - African Art Fund and Textile Fund
updatedAt
2026-06-04 11:04:10.510000
sourceId
703450
dept
African Art
coll
African Art
med
Silk (Bombyx mori)
thumbnail_url
image_url
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
672de327628a675c