Shweshwe wraparound skirt (long)

Description

Shweshwe wraparound skirt is a printed dyed cotton fabric widely used for traditional Southern African clothing. Dresses, skirts, aprons and wraparound clothing. Originally dyed indigo, the fabric is manufactured in various colours and designs characterised by intricate geometric patterns. Due to its popularity, shweshwe has been described as the tartan, of South Africa.

The local name shweshwe is derived from the fabric’s association with Lesotho’s King Moshoeshoe I, also spelled “Moshweshwe”. Moshoeshoe I was gifted with the fabric by French missionaries in the 1840s and subsequently popularised it.

Shweshwe is manufactured with an acid discharge and roller printing technique on pure cotton calico.

Our Shweshwe wraparound skirts are handmade in Johannesburg.

Pronunciation

Shweshwe (/ˈʃwɛʃwɛ/)