Robe Embroidered with "Eight Knives" Motif [Hausa]

(Context) Milam

Master or teacher

(Function) Babba Riga

Great robe worn by male Nupe leaders at ceremonies

(Form) Tsamiya

Thread of wild silkworms

(Content) Motifs 

Protective Islamic symbolism 

(Content) The Front Pocket

Features “eight knives” (aska takwas), and a leaf (gambiya) associated with the Nupe peoples

(Form) Magenta Silk 

Underneath (people glimpse), imported via trans-saharan routes like the Hem, shows wealth

(Content) Indigo Color

Represents wealth and social status

(Context) What is a Zaure?

Earliest type of garment and worn by leaders

(Form) What is it made of?

Cotton and silk woven in thin strips that were dyed blue and stitched together

(Content) Squares

Gods creation (4 corners of the world)

(Content) Embroidered amulet

Protective

(Context) Fulani Aristocracy

Under influence of Sokoto Caliphate

(Context) Who makes it?

A master weaver

(Content) Designs

Have Talismanic properties