How Mali Spindle Whorl Beads Are Made

Spindle whorls have been used for centuries in the cotton-making industry. Quite how they ended up finding use as a bead for self-adornment is still somewhat of a mystery – although it could have something to do with the fact they were traded extensively with North African merchants between the 17th and 19th Century. Another relatively unknown fact about clay spindle whorls is their durability. In fact, such is their resistance to damage and wear, they are known as “kolo” (meaning “strong like cow bone”) in the Bambara language.

The key to the durability of Mali Spindle Whorl Beads is in their production. They are made from the charcoal black clay found in abundance in the hills around Mopti and Kati. Once collected, the clay is broken down into smaller pieces for ease of grinding. The clay is ground into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle, then sieved several times to rid the mixture of larger pieces that cannot be broken down. It’s not uncommon for pieces of old and broken clay pots to be ground in with the mixture to improve its overall strength.

Once the powder has been prepared, it is mixed with equal parts water, oil and Gum Arabic to create a thick, malleable mixture that can be further shaped and refined by hand. The bicone beads are individually shaped by hand, then pierced with a sharp stick or nail to create the perforation hole. While still moist, designs are cut into the surface of the clay using a razor or hacksaw blade. This is arguably the most laborious part of the bead-making process, and only the most experienced artisans are allowed to create beads intended for general sale at the markets.

The beads are left out in the sun to dry for up to a week before they are fired in charcoal braziers, each of which can be filled with up to a hundred beads per time. After an hour or so, the contents of the braziers are tipped onto a mat of moistened sawdust. Artisans sift through the charcoal rubble and dust by hand to retrieve the beads, after which they are washed several times to rid the bead surface of dust and impurities. Once cool, the beads are immersed into a whitewash liquid made from ground shells to color the carved sections. This process may be repeated several times to enhance the whiteness of the lines. Each time the beads must be washed to remove any excess dye from the surface. Finally, the beads are left to dry for several hours in the sun, before they are strung onto sisal ready for sale. 

Mali Clay Spindle Whorls

Mali Clay Spindle Whorls

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