Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Yellow, olive green and brown pattern with floral motif, “Nakupenda Lakini” printed on lower edge.
Kanga
Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Foad Seyed Mohammadi

Kanga

Maker Kenyan Artist
Date1981
Place of originNairobi, Kenya
Mediumcotton
Dimensions45 1/2 in. × 5 ft. 5 1/2 in. (115.6 × 166.4 cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Roy Hunt
Object number2017.4.3
Collections
Visual Descriptionyellow, olive green and brown pattern with floral motif, “Nakupenda Lakini” printed on lower edge.
Red, black and white pattern with maple leaf motifs; “Yaka si ya mtu “ printed on the lower edge
Kanga
Kenyan Artist
1981
Black, red and white pattern with floral motifs ; “Pombe si maji” on lower edge
Kanga
Kenyan Artist
1981
Yellow, dark green and black with dots; Mosque motif. Printed Swahili inscription on cloth, Yote yatenndawayo namkabidhi Mola" - all who are well-treated are entrusted to God" or alternately, [literal] "all that is acted upon / happens to me is entrusted to God"
Cloth (kanga)
Urafiki Tanzania
2010
Inscription reads "EE Mola Tubariki Tudumishe Upendo"; big yellow flowers; black, yellow, green and white; inscription on bottom border reads "Urafiki Tanzania Printed Khanga FTC DES No. 649."
Wrapper (kanga)
Tanzanian Artist
2009
Inscription reads "Mla Nawe Hafi Nawe"; blue, dark blue, yellow and white; central floral medallion and floral border; very thin, worn -1 wrapper, older type flower pattern; hemmed.
Wrapper (kanga)
Tanzanian Artist
2009
Peacock with feathers and floral border; yellow, bright blue and yellow on white field; Swahili inscription reads: "Neno la mungu ni la milele" (Words of God are eternal).
Cloth (kanga)
Urafiki Tanzania
2010
Flower motif in yellow with purple and black on white field. Swahili inscription reads: "Mungu hana likizo" (God doesn't take holidays)
Cloth (kanga)
Urafiki Tanzania
2010
Two lengths of cloth with white field with small black pattern of stars and central medallion of hand wearing wristeatch holding wrapped gift; border has red rosses and small medallions of green and red palm trees; insciption reads "Pokea Zawadi Ingawa Hafifu" [google translation: received the gift although weak]; side border inscription reads "Haharia-Zanzibar D. no. 1727."
Wrapper (kanga)
Tanzanian Artist
2009
Inscription reads "Hasidi Mzushi Ukimsikiliza Huishi"; paisley (cashew); blue, red, and white center panel with floral; thin, wide weave. Has inscription on left side that reads "Avani- D.N. 2043."
Wrapper (kanga)
Tanzanian Artist
2009
Red, yellow and blue with crackle geometric crowns.
Wrapper (kanga)
Tanzanian Artist
2009
Green, black, gold and white; Muslim stars and a moon; inscription on side border reads "Hakuna Matata Zanzibar D. N. 2577."
Wrapper (kanga)
Tanzanian Artist
2009
Red and white and black paisleu (cashew) pattern, with center medallion; Swahili inscription reads: "Mungu atupe furaha daima" (God (should) give us happiness always)
Cloth (kanga)
Lesso
2010

Collections research is ongoing. Information provided on the Harn’s website about collection objects may be updated, revised, or enhanced at any time.

Harn
Copyright © Harn
null