Sales description The 2 models presented come from traditional manufacturing methods in 100% cotton fabrics from Burkina Faso. The seamstresses are from the Cascades region. These fabrics are completely handmade, machine sewn and indigo in color. The sizes offered are for men, women, children and adolescents. Origins of Indigo Historically, indigo is a purplish-blue coloring matter extracted from the leaves and stems of the indigo tree, a shrub found in hot regions of Africa, India and South America. This term comes from the Latin "indicum" which means from India. It is indeed from this country that indigo was imported into Europe from Antiquity, about 6000 years ago. Despite the presence of this dye on all continents, the populations of West Africa stand out for their know-how, succeeding in making from simple leaves and a little time, real works of art. textiles. The indigo dye imbues the fabric with identity and a true message. Dyeing Techniques To understand the passage and the mechanism by which one passes from the shrub to the dye, there are in the world between 200 and 700 species of plants which thrive in very different climates producing many shades of blue. In Africa, the two most widely used indigo plants are Indigofera Arrecta and Lonchocarpus. The first grows in dry areas and gives a blue called “savannah blue”, while the second, more common in West Africa, gives a color called “forest blue”. The leaves collected from these plants are used to prepare the decoction serving as a tincture diluted in large vats where the fabric will be dyed. Then, by a clever mixture, the fabric is soaked for several weeks to obtain a desired shade of blue. Then in contact with air, it will take its color by an oxidation reaction. Each family and also ethnic group have different colors. Each of them holds its trade secret, allowing their dyes to be made more subtle and above all unique, with very different patterns. This is the case with the purchase proposal made to you with these artisanal clothes made essentially by hand that we can only recommend for gifts or personal use.