The village of Waraniéné sits at the base of Mt Korhogo, approximately 5 kilometers from the city of Korhogo. The village seems to be in perpetual sunset, golden light bounces off of the rust-colored earth and lush green vegetation, just catching the indigo blue emanating from the freshly dyed cotton hanging to dry in the sun. The sound of clinking weft shuttles as they move almost imperceptibly from side to side between the warp threads of hand-built wooden looms creates an almost visceral experience.
The master weavers, many of whom are Dyula, of Waraniéné were born to weave. The profession is passed down generationally, from father to son. Creating captivating works of art, the village began weaving predominantly for commercial purposes in the 1970’s, selling directly to tourists and local consumers. Today, each geometric pattern and use of color still carry the history of the community’s aesthetics, but the weavers are free to create, develop, and modify as their artistic eye sees fit. Each motif is a modern interpretation of traditional patterns, re-imagined for the contemporary eye. The community functions as a social, artistic, and economic hub where traditions are passed down from generation to generation.
Today, the collective has over 300 active members who contribute in a myriad of ways towards the production of these textiles.