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Pair of shawls (Lamba Landy Fotsy)
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
A lamba is an untailored textile worn by all ages, classes, and genders across much of Madagascar. This is an example of a woman’s garment made after Queen Ranavalona II made Christianity the state religion of the Merina Kingdom. Soon after, all-white lamba became popular for both Sunday church and daily wear. Fotsy is white in the Malagasy language. Indicating its owner’s worldliness, the white-on-white patterns alluded to fashionable imported textiles with damask patterns.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit linePair of shawls (Lamba Landy Fotsy), 1900s. Africa, East Africa, Madagascar. Silk (Bombyx mori and Borocera cajani); part 1: 74 x 211 cm (29 1/8 x 83 1/16 in.); part 2: 61 x 213 cm (24 x 83 7/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Sundry Art - African Art Fund and Textile Fund, 2025.273
