{"title":"Grassfields · The Signature","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe signature collection of the house: the founder of Bana Bilaka is Cameroonian, and the Grassfields are her land. Three stories carry it: the script King Ibrahim Njoya dreamed in 1896 and refined into the a-ka-u-ku syllabary, the toghu cloth whose tiger-teeth border became the emblem of a nation at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Games, and the marriage of toghu and ndop, the two great cloths of the Grassfields. Stitch-effect print medallions on black organic cotton, printed in the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAfter Bitoh et al., Art and Design Review, 2023; The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Yale University Library; Open Restitution Africa.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"akauku-grassfields-tee-no-01","title":"Akauku · Grassfields Tee No. 01","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 1896, a king of the Grassfields dreamed that he had to write. Ibrahim Njoya then invented a script for his people, refined version after version, from nearly five hundred pictograms to the eighty-sign syllabary of 1910. It bears the name of its first four signs: a, ka, u, ku. The Akauku emblem carries those four signs, exact and in their modern form, in an embroidery-style print medallion on a deep black tee: a tall indigo cartouche edged in fine gold, the signs in ivory, set in a column like a coat of arms (the script itself runs from left to right). An African script born in a dream and perfected like a science. Dreamed one night, written forever.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat it means\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Bamum script was born in Foumban, in the Cameroon Grassfields. From 1896, after a dream, King Ibrahim Njoya and his court refined it version after version until the mature syllabary known as a-ka-u-ku, about eighty signs in use by 1910, taught in the schools of the kingdom and used for chronicles, letters and records. The four signs of this emblem are the first four of the script, the ones that give it its name, shown in their modern form; on the emblem they stand in a vertical column, a heraldic composition, while the script itself is written horizontally, from left to right. Around the medallion runs the tiger-teeth band of the toghu, the border that has spoken for Cameroon as a whole since the London 2012 opening ceremony: the signature of this collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter the textile and royal traditions of the Cameroon Grassfields: Bitoh et al., \u003cem\u003eArt and Design Review\u003c\/em\u003e, 2023 (toghu symbols); The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Michael Backman Ltd (ndop technique); Wikipedia “Bamum script”, Yale University Library and African History Extra (the Bamum script, 1896 to 1910); Open Restitution Africa (the return of Ngonnso, announced 27 June 2022); Voix des Jeunes (toghu, ndop, Bamenda).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePart of Collection 03 · Grassfields · The Signature. Emblem No. 01. Dikenga opened the house, the Manden gave it its law, the Grassfields give it its address.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFabric \u0026amp; Fit\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eStanley\/Stella Creator 2.0, 100% organic combed ring-spun cotton (GOTS-certified fabric), 180 gsm single jersey, fabric washed. Colour: Black. Medium fit, true to size.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSize Guide (cm)\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSize\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHalf chest\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBody length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eS\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e49.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e69\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e53.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e73\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e56.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eXL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e59.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e77\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2XL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e63.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e79\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3XL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e67.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e81\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eShipping \u0026amp; Returns\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrinted to order in the UK · dispatched in 2 to 5 working days · UK delivery 3 to 7 days. 30-day returns. Wash inside out, do not iron the print.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bana Bilaka","offers":[{"title":"S","offer_id":52637021012279,"sku":"BB-GRA01-S","price":34.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"M","offer_id":52637021045047,"sku":"BB-GRA01-M","price":34.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"L","offer_id":52637021077815,"sku":"BB-GRA01-L","price":34.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"XL","offer_id":52637021110583,"sku":"BB-GRA01-XL","price":34.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2XL","offer_id":52637021143351,"sku":"BB-GRA01-2XL","price":37.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"3XL","offer_id":52637021176119,"sku":"BB-GRA01-3XL","price":39.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0992\/1409\/8743\/files\/grassfields_akauku_model.png?v=1783522027"},{"product_id":"toghu-grassfields-tee-no-02","title":"Toghu · Grassfields Tee No. 02","description":"\u003cp\u003eOn the black velvet of the toghu runs a border of sharp V points: the tiger teeth, the signature of the great ceremonial cloth of the Cameroon Grassfields. Unlike the motifs reserved for dignitaries, this border belongs to everyone. In 2012, the Cameroonian delegation walked into the opening ceremony of the London Games dressed in toghu: the border of a kingdom became the emblem of a nation. The Toghu emblem carries that story in an embroidery-style print medallion on a deep black tee: three rows of tiger teeth in laterite red, warm gold and burnt ochre, climbing like steps. A border became a flag.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat it means\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe toghu is the prestige garment of the Grassfields kingdoms of Cameroon: black velvet where red and gold thread is laid by hand, motif after motif. The true toghu is still made by hand today, and Bamenda remains a living home of that apprenticeship. Since London 2012 the toghu has spoken for the whole country, worn by athletes, ministers and brides far beyond the Grassfields. This tee is a tribute in stitch-effect print, never a copy of the craft; the tiger-teeth border it celebrates also runs around every medallion of this collection, as its signature.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter the textile and royal traditions of the Cameroon Grassfields: Bitoh et al., \u003cem\u003eArt and Design Review\u003c\/em\u003e, 2023 (toghu symbols); The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Michael Backman Ltd (ndop technique); Wikipedia “Bamum script”, Yale University Library and African History Extra (the Bamum script, 1896 to 1910); Open Restitution Africa (the return of Ngonnso, announced 27 June 2022); Voix des Jeunes (toghu, ndop, Bamenda).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePart of Collection 03 · Grassfields · The Signature. Emblem No. 02. Dikenga opened the house, the Manden gave it its law, the Grassfields give it its address.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFabric \u0026amp; Fit\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eStanley\/Stella Creator 2.0, 100% organic combed ring-spun cotton (GOTS-certified fabric), 180 gsm single jersey, fabric washed. Colour: Black. Medium fit, true to size.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSize Guide (cm)\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSize\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHalf chest\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBody length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eS\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e49.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e69\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e53.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e73\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e56.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eXL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e59.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e77\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2XL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e63.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e79\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3XL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e67.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e81\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eShipping \u0026amp; Returns\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrinted to order in the UK · dispatched in 2 to 5 working days · UK delivery 3 to 7 days. 30-day returns. Wash inside out, do not iron the print.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bana Bilaka","offers":[{"title":"S","offer_id":52637021208887,"sku":"BB-GRA02-S","price":32.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"M","offer_id":52637021241655,"sku":"BB-GRA02-M","price":32.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"L","offer_id":52637021274423,"sku":"BB-GRA02-L","price":32.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"XL","offer_id":52637021307191,"sku":"BB-GRA02-XL","price":32.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2XL","offer_id":52637021339959,"sku":"BB-GRA02-2XL","price":35.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"3XL","offer_id":52637021372727,"sku":"BB-GRA02-3XL","price":37.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0992\/1409\/8743\/files\/grassfields_toghu_model.png?v=1783522036"},{"product_id":"atoghu-grassfields-tee-no-04","title":"Atoghu · Grassfields Tee No. 04","description":"\u003cp\u003eBefore the velvet, the toghu thread was laid on ndop cloth: the first collars and sleeves were stitched onto the indigo. This piece marries the two heritages, the red and gold chevron of the toghu rising over the white and blue grammar of the ndop, the indigo cloth of the Grassfields, from the West to the North-West, recomposed for this emblem, never copied. Two cloths, one house. An embroidery-style print medallion in laterite red, medium indigo, warm gold and ivory on a deep black tee: the signature piece of the collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat it means\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe ndop is the indigo cloth of the Cameroon Grassfields, shared from the West to the North-West by Bamileke, Bamum and Bamenda hands. Its white pattern is born of technique: the motif is sewn in raphia thread as a resist, the cloth travels to the indigo pits of Garoua for dyeing, and when the stitches are undone the pattern appears, white on blue. The band on this emblem follows that grammar, recomposed as an original pattern, never a copy of any documented cloth. Across it climb three toghu chevrons in laterite red and warm gold: the two great cloths of the Grassfields on one crest.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter the textile and royal traditions of the Cameroon Grassfields: Bitoh et al., \u003cem\u003eArt and Design Review\u003c\/em\u003e, 2023 (toghu symbols); The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Michael Backman Ltd (ndop technique); Wikipedia “Bamum script”, Yale University Library and African History Extra (the Bamum script, 1896 to 1910); Open Restitution Africa (the return of Ngonnso, announced 27 June 2022); Voix des Jeunes (toghu, ndop, Bamenda).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePart of Collection 03 · Grassfields · The Signature. Emblem No. 04. Dikenga opened the house, the Manden gave it its law, the Grassfields give it its address.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFabric \u0026amp; Fit\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eStanley\/Stella Creator 2.0, 100% organic combed ring-spun cotton (GOTS-certified fabric), 180 gsm single jersey, fabric washed. Colour: Black. Medium fit, true to size.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSize Guide (cm)\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSize\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHalf chest\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBody length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eS\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e49.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e69\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e53.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e73\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e56.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eXL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e59.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e77\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2XL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e63.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e79\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3XL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e67.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e81\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eShipping \u0026amp; Returns\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrinted to order in the UK · dispatched in 2 to 5 working days · UK delivery 3 to 7 days. 30-day returns. Wash inside out, do not iron the print.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bana Bilaka","offers":[{"title":"S","offer_id":52637021634871,"sku":"BB-GRA04-S","price":36.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"M","offer_id":52637021667639,"sku":"BB-GRA04-M","price":36.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"L","offer_id":52637021700407,"sku":"BB-GRA04-L","price":36.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"XL","offer_id":52637021733175,"sku":"BB-GRA04-XL","price":36.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2XL","offer_id":52637021765943,"sku":"BB-GRA04-2XL","price":39.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"3XL","offer_id":52637021798711,"sku":"BB-GRA04-3XL","price":41.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0992\/1409\/8743\/files\/grassfields_atoghu_model.png?v=1783522053"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0992\/1409\/8743\/collections\/grassfields_collection_cover.png?v=1783522094","url":"https:\/\/banabilaka.com\/collections\/grassfields.oembed","provider":"Bana Bilaka","version":"1.0","type":"link"}