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Wax Prints: Names, Symbols and Meanings
Ever wondered about African print names and meanings? Over time, a lot of wax prints have acquired nicknames from the markets they are sold in and from the fabric sellers and buyers alike. The same fabric may be called one thing in Ghana and known as something else in Togo. Here are a few popular classics and some of the names they are know by. The prints are often available in a number of colourways so if there is a particular pattern that is a favourite, you can get it in a few colour options!
Just click on the heading to see the colour options we have in stock. Also, do share if you have a particular favourite or there is one you have come across in your travels and sewing.
Crevettes
Crevettes is the French word for Shrimp and when you look, they do look like sea creatures of an abstracted sort, don’t they!?
Speedbird
We call this the Speedbird print on the site. Sometimes called Hirondelle which is French for Swallows, this print in Ghana speaks of being careful with money; ‘rich today, poor tomorrow’, as money has wings and if one is not careful, it will fly away. In Togo this print was called ‘Air Afrique’ because the fabric was once used for the uniform of a local airline company.
Guineafowl
The Guineafowl is a bird that is a popular motif in many African countries, not just in fabric design but design in general. From murals, to paintings, drawings and batik creations.
Family Gravel
In house, we call this the Leopard print. It is also known as ‘Household Gravel’ referring to the gravel around a house as an analogy for the immediate family − ‘It’s sometimes sharp and can cut you deeply’.
Record
Popular in Ghana as ‘Nsu Bura‘ which means waterwell in the Twi language, the pattern is said to resemble the ripple of water when a stone is thrown in it. Every action we take has an effect. Also called in Record in places like Nigeria due to its resemblance to a vinyl record.
Roller Skate
This funky retro Roller Skate print speaks for itself!
Highlife
This print celebrates Highlife music a genre born in Ghana and most popular in West Africa especially in Ghana and Nigeria.
Waves
We have christened this one Waves! If you know a little more about it or other names it is called, do leave a comment.
Butterfly
Another classic print with a bold butterfly motif.
Santana
The pattern is said to have been produced based on a sketch provided by sellers. It is known as ‘Darling’ Don’t Turn Your Back on Me’ and is said to represent an angry woman lying in bed with her back to her husband and her husband is asking for forgiveness and begging her to turn around. It is also sometimes called Santana, after Mme SANT’ANNA Nelly one of the Nana Benz in Togo who got exclusive rights to sell this print. Nana Benz were prominent business women in Togo who dominated the textile trade in particular, wax prints from the 1950’s.
Check out our selection of African wax prints which includes some of these classics as well as modern designs with the same vibrancy and bold patterns.
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