New Library Highlight: Arts and fashion: wax and Tingatinga

The ASCL Library recently added pictorial works to its collection showcasing two of Africa’s many colourful fashion and art forms. Two new French-language books, Wax & co: anthologie des tissus imprimés d'Afrique, by Anne Grosfilley, and Wax, by Anne-Marie Bouttiaux, focus on the history of popular West African textiles, which are often referred to as ‘Dutch wax’ (wax hollandais). The authors trace these fabrics back to their first production in the 19th century, when European factories, including the Dutch company Vlisco, initiated the production of industrial batik, intended for the (Dutch East) Indies. Read the library highlight!