ABSTRACT
This chapter explores aspects of the Dogon Tengu and Tommon collective, individual and shared material identities. It suggests that Dogon cultural identities materialise in their wild silk indigo cloths of prestige called tombe toun throughout the making process and social usages of this flamboyant woven fabric. The chapter examines of the material practices involved in production and in the use of wild silk as a wrapping material. It discusses Dogon wrapping techniques in relation to wild silk indigo textiles. The Dogon and Marka-Dafing people live in neighbouring territories and on both sides of the Malian and Burkinabe political border. The chapter suggests the interethnic collaborative production of the cloth and through its use in various social contexts to dress and cover the body. Hence, tombe toun wrappers serve both as the material and visual means by which social status and values are expressed and as the way those social relationships by sealed and legitimised.
