Korhogo cloth is a rare hand-crafted textile made by the Senufo people of Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire. Emerging in its contemporary form in the late 1960s–1970s, this fabric carries deep cultural and spiritual meaning. Each piece is created from hand-woven cotton strips, joined together and then painted with fermented mud and vegetal pigments. Over time, the pigments naturally darken, producing earthy tones of cream, brown, and bold black.

Though its dyeing process is similar to Malian Bogolan (mudcloth)—a link unsurprising given the two regions’ proximity—Korhogo differs greatly in its symbolism. The motifs are cosmological and ancestral: suns, moons, animals, and hunter figures, all rooted in Senufo belief systems. Traditionally, Korhogo cloth was used decoratively and ritually, often as protective hangings.

We source our Korhogo cloth directly from artisans in Korhogo district, working with a trusted local facilitator. Shipments make their way to Ghana by bus; an approach that ensures authenticity, supports local economies, and preserves cultural integrity.

Because each cloth is painted freehand or stenciled without repetition, no two are alike. Craftsmen rarely recreate the same patterns, meaning what you see here is truly one-of-a-kind. The bold, graphic nature of Korhogo makes it a challenging but rewarding fabric for modern fashion - each piece is carefully curated in very limited batches. Once sold, it is almost impossible to restock the same design.

Owning Korhogo cloth is more than owning fabric—it’s holding a piece of African heritage and wearable art.

Details

• Origin: Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire
• Material: 100% Handwoven Cotton
• Technique: Hand-painted with fermented mud and vegetal pigments
• Color Palette: Natural creams, browns, blacks
• Dimensions: Approx. 59 in (150 cm) width × 38 in (97 cm) height
• Care: Dry clean, hang to dry

Wash at 30° / hand wash, iron on low heat.

Origin & history: Fugu (also called batakari for the sewn smock garment) refers to strip-woven cloth from Northern Ghana (notably among Dagomba, Mamprusi, Gonja, and other groups). Traditions recount influence from the Mossi/Moshie of Ouagadougou. Historically, smocks carried social and protective associations and, in some accounts, were worn in warfare or ritual contexts.

Technique & look: plain/warp-faced strip weaving on double-heddle narrow looms; sturdy cotton (sometimes with indigo) produces hard-wearing strips that are stitched and later tailored into the iconic smock silhouette. Patterns range from minimalist stripe layouts to richly banded indigo/undyed schemes. 

How we source: we source fugu from the Upper West Region of Ghana and have worked with the same trusted weaver since 2018, ensuring continuity and quality.

All our fabrics are treated to resist dye and stay true to their colours for years. 

Threaded Tribes is plastic free and committed to a full re-use of scraps.

This outfit was hand crafted in our Accra workshop using local fabrics with careful water usage and waste management.