How Ankara Fabric Are Produced

How Ankara Fabric Are Produced

By Abbah Christy

Ankara fabric has its roots in a fusion of Indonesian and Dutch influences, rather than originating from Africa. The initial batik technique that inspired this fabric was developed by Indonesian artisans. Nevertheless, the contemporary mass-produced Ankara fabric was produced by Dutch companies during the 19th century and later tailored for the West African market, where it was embraced and became a representation of African identity.

Dutch involvement: Dutch traders introduced this technique to West Africa, attempting to market their version, originally designed for the Indonesian audience, which did not gain much appeal.

West African adaptation: Dutch producers modified the designs and hues to align with the preferences of West African consumers, who adopted the fabric as their own.

Name significance: The term “Ankara” is associated with the Hausa designation for Accra, the capital city of Ghana, which was a significant center for these fabrics in the 19th century.