Belt Item Number: Cb80 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Narrow leather belt with three main parts. The central decorated portion consists of an oval piece of leather, decorated on one side with the two edges folded to the centre and sewn together leaving a gap at one end. The ends of the pouch are bound into braided extensions ending in leather toggles and fastened together side by side with braided loops.

History Of Use

Leather goods are widely made and traded in the Sub-Sahara of West Africa. This decorative pattern can be seen in an Ashanti gold weight from Ghana (Williams) and in a leather cushion from the Ivory Coast (Newman). The type of belt is widely known as part of a woman's costume from Bogatangnga, Northern Ghana.

Cultural Context

Worn by women.