Spinning photo

Spinning was one of women's exclusive activities. The woman spun in times of entertainment, when she wanted to distract herself from her daily housework. These women probably lived in polygamous households. The animal skins on the floor suggest that they were the wives of hunters. Spinning was seen as a hobby. Widows or women of a certain age, who generally had no fixed income or could no longer carry out difficult daily activities such as work in the fields, spun cotton to earn a living. Spinning was an activity carried out by adult housewives or women of a certain age.

The way they dressed reflected their social status. Only the wives used the kerchief to cover their heads.

The apparent quality of the loincloths worn also reflected the prestige that the husband might have enjoyed.

The animal skin on which the pots rest symbolised the family's wealth and also kept the spun cotton clean.

The different jewels they wear show the family's social class.

The various stages of the spinning process are described on the website

http://www.africancrafts.com/davilojo/ed/lesson1.htm