Minneapolis Institute of Art

Pelete bite lower wrapper

Kalabari artist

Date

late 19th century

Medium

Cotton

Culture

Kalabari

Department

Arts of Global Africa

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Kalabari men and women of Nigeria occasionally wear a unique cloth called pelete bite (“cut-thread cloth”), which is created by altering fabrics imported from India. Starting with existing striped or checked patterns, new designs are made by cutting parts of the white threads with a razor and removing them. The technique also produces little holes, adding to the visual effect. The women who create pelete bite are important figures in Kalabari society: artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Their art transforms imported cloth into a cultural symbol. Africa

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