Making of a Raffia Palm Mat (Dɛŋglɛ). Sabiye, Banda District, Ghana

This document describes the operational sequence and techniques of weaving mats using dried raffia palm (gbandaa) strands (pinde) as demonstrated by Nafana mat weaver (deŋglɛ tinfun) Alexander Owusu in July 2022 and April 2023. The document describes his processes of harvesting, drying, and trimming raffia leaflets into strands useful for weaving. It follows the sequence of his gestures as he starts and weaves foundation rows of a mat, as he adds new strands while weaving onward, and finishes a mat. Gestures are described sequentially and summarized in a series of tables and notational appendices. Tables in this document are referred to in photo and video metadata for associated EMKP project assets curated by the British Museum. Sabiye, Banda District, Ghana.