There is a lot of weaving in Africa but not all of it is quite as organised as the government started Manufactures Sénégalaises des Arts Décoratifs (MSAD). Set up in the 1960s by President Senghor, it is now host to many famous artists who have their work made up into tapestries by the skilled workers here.
The MSAD specialise in tufted rugs that command high prices on an international market and hang in prestigious places like the UN HQ in New York.
Léopold Sédar Senghor – poet, politician and cultural theorist – was Mayor of the small town on Thiès (pronounced ‘chess‘) before becoming first president of Senegal. He was educated in France and the techniques used at Thiès owe more to the Gobelin traditions of Paris and Aubusson rather than local weaving. They also make flat woven tapestries that have great graphic impact.
I wasn’t allowed to photograph any of the finished items, but have tried to document the process. Top is my favourite image. These are the colour keys, one 
for each tapestry, that makes a ready-reckoner for the weaver following the artist’s cartoon.
You can see right, and below that the weaver uses a beater to push down the knots. This is a specially made wooden tool a bit like an afro comb.
The specially built MSAD gallery
