Network for the Valorization of Plant Materials (VPMA)

Teintures traditionnelles (Guinée)
(91-1003)

Principal investigators: 
Dr. Morlaye Bangoura: Direction nationale de la recherche scientifique et technique, Conakry (Guinée) 
M. Normand Jubinville: Centre des technologies textiles, Saint-Hyacinthe, (Canada) / Centre de recherche en design et impression textile de Montréal, Montreal (Canada)
E-mail: [email protected]

In Guinea, the general objective of the Teintures traditionnelles (Guinée) Project was to improve on the traditional dyeing techniques with natural indigo. The traditional dyeing represents 35% of the handcraft production of Guinea and 80% of people involved in these activities are women. The project has successfully introduced a new technique for the extraction of the natural indigo in a dry form within 24 hours, which can be used directly in the dyeing process. Also, many modifications to the dyeing process, adapted to the Guinean context, were proposed. As a result of these innovations, the production costs were considerably reduced and the production capacity of women was doubled, and their physical efforts were relieved as well. Several interesting local initiatives have originated from the project that are currently disseminating the new technology with the support of international organizations based in Guinea. Within this framework, a small training centre in the new technology for the extraction of the indigo was set up in Bokariah, where hundreds of women dyers have been/are trained. The ongoing experiences show the existence of a local market and of a potential market for indigo dyed clothing and other products, in Africa (Guinea, Senegal, Mali and South Africa) and in America (USA, Canada). The funding of a second phase of the project was  approved by IDRC in March 1999 in order to work on the commercial development of this new technology.