Many quilters have discovered and fallen in love with Kawandi quilts. It is a wonderful project for quilters and sewers who want to explore hand piecing and quilting. It is also a form of ‘slow stitching’.
However, I think it is important for quilters to know the history of Kawandi quilts. I’ve seen posts on social media with people wondering about the origins or perhaps assuming that the technique was invented recently.
SIDDI QUILTERS – KAWANDI QUILTERS
The Siddi people are Indians of African descent who make the Kawandi quilts.
Here is some information from Wikipedia: Members are descended from Bantu peoples from Southeast Africa some of whom were brought to the Indian subcontinent as slaves by Portuguese merchants and Arab traders. There is a 50,000 strong Siddi population across India, of which more than a third live in Karnataka. While some Siddis were victims of the Portuguese slave trade, most were imported by the Sultans in the 15th-16th centuries as military mercenaries. Others were sailors on the trade routes to the east.
Henry Drewal: Historian & Curator
Henry Drewal was one of the earliest people to document the Siddi people and their textile work. (Learn about Dr. Drewal and his long history of study and work here.)
And here is a very interesting YouTube video from an exhibit of Siddi quilts at the Museum of the African Diaspora with Dr. Henry Drewal and Dr. Sarah Khan.
Kawandi Historian: Antha R. Reddy
Antha R. Reddy is a historian and artist who is working actively to document, support and promote the members of the Siddi community. Please check out these links to learn more about Ms. Reddy and her work.
Article about the community based venture to support the Siddi’s with commercial opportunities
Article from Sstades magazine.
Ms. Reddy’s Instagram account CLICK HERE
Article from www.trtafricak.com: click here.
MORE KAWANDI RESOURCES
My friend Jen Strauser has a wonderful Facebook group. Jen is also experimenting with machine sewn versions of Kawandi. Kawandi Style Quilting with Jen Strauser.
Jen Strauser describes making a large scale kawandi quilt on her BLOG
Blog Post from Any Texture Blog. Click Here.
And, finally, YouTube Video about the Kawandi inspired quilts by Margaret Fabrizio
Kawandi Quilt in my Future?
Well, we will see. I don’t do much hand sewing but I’d like to try this technique. I do have this interesting pile of scraps…..and I have an idea for a variation! If I pursue this project, I will definitely add videos or do a live session in the Modern Quilt Academy.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE MODERN QUILT ACADEMY
Check out my membership program that is open to all types and levels of quilters. Ondemand prerecorded classes and LIVE events are included.
Click here for more information!!
