Indigo : in search of the color that seduced the world / Catherine E. McKinley.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McKinley, Catherine E.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

McKinley, Catherine E.

Indigo--Africa, West--History.

Indigo.

Textile fabrics--Africa, West--History.

Textile fabrics.

Indigo industry--Africa, West--History.

Indigo industry.

Clothing and dress--Africa, West--History.

Clothing and dress.

History.

Africa, West--Civilization.

Africa, West.

West Africa.

Civilization.

Physical Description:

235 pages : illustrations (some color), map ; 22 cm

Edition:

First U.S. edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Bloomsbury, [2011]

Summary:

Symbolically associated with royalty, divinity and spirituality, indigo, a deep blue pigment which comes from the small green leaf of a parasitic shrub, has fascinating and until now untold stories steeped in history. Known as "The Devil's Dye" from its involvement in the bitter trade wars, as well as being a cornerstone in the slave trade, author McKinley's obsession and attraction to the color led her on a personal journey through nine countries of Africa to discover the power and effect indigo has had in shaping the course of history and world economics. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Contents:

An invitation, Ghana

A burning heart, Ghana

Widow's blues, Ghana

The road to Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

The Chanel of Africa, Ghana

Amazons, wives of the gods, and Mama Benz, Ghana/Togo/Benin

Not everything you can own, Ivory Coast

The beautiful one, Ghana

Mothers of ash, Nigeria

Blue gold and concubines, Niger

Divine sky, Senegal and New York City

It's never late, New York City.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (page 235).

Local Notes:

Athenaeum copy: Scott fund bookplate.

ISBN:

9781608195053