How well do you know the African fabric known as “Ankara”?
Well, whether you’ve had some experience with this fabric, or have no idea what I am talking about, I would like to invite you to journey with me as we explore the history and beauty of the African Ankara wax print.
Highly popular in West African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana and Liberia, the Ankara fabric is versatile and can be worn in a variety of styles for parties, formal events, casual beach days, or as an everyday fashion staple. Ankara ticks all the boxes and tells a colourful story.
However, whilst Ankara is primarily identified as an African fabric, it actually did not originate in Africa! The Ankara wax print (also known as Dutch wax and Holland wax prints) was originally produced by the Dutch for the Indonesia textile market. This was influenced by an Indonesian method of dyeing clothes called Batik, a wax-resist technique that ensures that over time the colours of the fabric remain as vibrant as when they are first made.
Ultimately, the wax fabric did not do well in the Indonesian textile market as they saw it as an imitation of Batik from the Java province of Indonesia. However, the wax print soon attracted the attention of the West Africans who were recruited from Dutch Gold Coast to serve in the Dutch colonizing army in Indonesia between 1831 and 1872. The popularity of the Ankara print amongst west Africans is often credited to the fabric's designs, which resonate deeply with the traditional patterns they have long known and cherished.
Indonesian Batik example
Whether your style leans towards the bold and vivid, the subtly understated, or the classic monochrome palette, you are sure to discover designs that suit your aesthetic. Explore our elegant Ankara pieces at Nixol's online store. We're excited to see how you wear them!