NDOP
Indigo ndop
Indigo ndop, the cloth of Grassfields notables
FCFA 8,000 per metre
Width: 110 cm
Ndop is an indigo-dyed cotton whose white patterns are created by resist: before dyeing, the cloth is stitched or tied so that some areas do not take the colour. It is closely linked to the kingdoms of Cameroon's Grassfields, among the Bamileke, the Bamoun and the chiefdoms of the North-West.
Ndop is traditionally worn by kings and notables and features at palace ceremonies and funerals; its geometric motifs belong to the symbolic world of the Grassfields. Today it has also moved from the palace to the city, as jackets, tunics and dresses that celebrate Cameroonian heritage.
Indigo-dyed cotton with resist patterns, 110 cm wide. A medium-weight cloth with a dry, slightly irregular hand typical of artisanal dyeing.
Breathable like any cotton and with good body; it softens and develops a lovely patina over time.
Material : NDOP · Width: 110 cm
- Toghu set and Foumban long-vest set
- Sawa jacket, Ngaoundere band-collar jacket and Bali shirt jacket
- Bonapriso shirt and Dschang inset tunic
- Wouri mermaid dress, Maroua kaftan and Logbaba set
- Kribi jumpsuit and Tiko vest and shorts set
Seasons : For traditional ceremonies, funerals and big occasions, in any season.
- Hand wash or machine wash at 30°C maximum, inside out, on its own at first, as indigo bleeds
- Use a mild detergent with no bleach or optical brighteners
- Dry in the shade, inside out
- Iron on the reverse at a medium setting
- Never soak it with light-coloured laundry
- Ndop works with white, beige and black; avoid mixing it with too many other prints
- For men, an ndop vest or jacket over a plain tunic makes a dignified ceremonial outfit
- A little indigo run is the sign of a real dye, so wear dark underlayers the first few times
Designs to sew in this fabric
Frequently asked questions
Does ndop bleed?
Yes, indigo runs a little, especially in the first washes, which is normal for this kind of dye. Wash it alone, by hand or at 30°C, and dry it in the shade.
Which style suits ndop?
For ceremonies, the Toghu set or the Foumban set; for the city, the Sawa jacket or the Bonapriso shirt; for women, the Wouri mermaid dress or the Maroua kaftan.
Can I mix ndop with another fabric?
Yes, part by part when the style allows it: for example an ndop vest over a white bazin tunic on the Foumban set, or ndop with toghu on the Toghu set.