University of Glasgow
Title: The natural dye colours of Winti: Cultural influences, chemical analysis, and preservation of Suriname’s Afro-spiritual textile heritage pre-1850.
Research summary: This project investigates the provenance and cultural significance of natural dye colours in the production of Winti textiles in Suriname pre-1850. It seeks to analyse the chemical composition of natural dyeing materials and the historical and cultural context of their use by the Afro-Surinamese. It applies methodologies from chemical heritage science, textile history and ethnobotany in the analysis of materials from museums, botanical collections, and archives. By investigating traditional resources and dyeing methods, this project aims to reproduce the colours that have historically characterised Winti textiles to recreate a significant element of Suriname’s lost cultural heritage.
