How do we make our hand painted textiles?
Norest Chigongo aka Ras Ra Nochi, the creative mind behind Nabaki Namibia's designs, is an established Zimbabwean artisan and teacher, who was trained in this ancient Zimbabwean art by some of the masters.
The technique used in Zimbabwe and at Nabaki is often called "flour paste batik" or "sadza batik". Sadza is the name for maize porridge in Zimbabwe - similar to our "oshifima" here in Namibia.
To make the paste, we simply mix water and flour (corn flour or wheat flour) by hand. We use different consistencies of paste depending on the type of design we are making.
Norest Chigongo aka Ras Ra Nochi, the creative mind behind Nabaki Namibia's designs, is an established Zimbabwean artisan and teacher, who was trained in this ancient Zimbabwean art by some of the masters.
The technique used in Zimbabwe and at Nabaki is often called "flour paste batik" or "sadza batik". Sadza is the name for maize porridge in Zimbabwe - similar to our "oshifima" here in Namibia.
To make the paste, we simply mix water and flour (corn flour or wheat flour) by hand. We use different consistencies of paste depending on the type of design we are making.
After filling the paste bottles - the Nochi begin to draw
the designs on the 100% cotton cloth.
When the paste lines are dry, it's time to start painting
with professional "textile paints".
After the painted cloth dries for a few days in the sun we bake it in our oven at about 150 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
After the painted cloth dries for a few days in the sun we bake it in our oven at about 150 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
We then scrape off the paste by hand to reveal the white lines left behind by the paste resist. The cloth is then washed and taken back outside to dry in the sun. After all this, the cloth is ready to be tailored, into cushion covers, handbags, bedspreads and table cloths.
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