Minneapolis Institute of Art

Man's shepherd shirt

Fulani artist

Medium

Cotton

Culture

Fulani

Department

Arts of Global Africa

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Although this shirt is made of local cotton, the decorations were applied with imported colored thread. The neckline, front chest area, and upper back are embroidered in yellow, orange, mint green, blue, tan, and black. The meaning of the four elongated motifs on the front is unclear: while they may be abstract designs, it is also possible that they represent plants and their roots—maybe the ubiquitous millet or sorghum, both essential to Fulani cuisine. Nigeria, Africa

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