A Senegalese designer is advocating for the creation of a national museum dedicated to the country’s traditional clothing, aiming to preserve a vital part of its cultural heritage. Maguette Gueye, a stylist and costume designer, believes such a museum would showcase Senegal’s rich textile history and artistry to the world.
Gueye explained that an ongoing exhibition, “La cour royale de Maam,” at the Grand National Theatre of Dakar, serves as a pilot project intended to build momentum for the museum. The exhibition highlights the artistry and cultural significance of Senegalese garments.
“What we want is to establish the Senegalese clothing museum so that, like in the greatest countries in the world, people can come and visit and see this rich heritage that our ancestors left us,” said the founder of Panderie de Maam. The establishment of the museum would contribute to its recognition both within Senegal and across Africa.
Through “La cour royale de Maam,” Gueye revisits African values including language, identity, artisanal skills, elegance, and dignity. The exhibition offers a glimpse into the cultural narratives woven into the nation’s clothing traditions.
Gueye hopes the project will contribute to the creation of a museum recognized throughout Senegal and Africa. The initiative underscores the growing movement to celebrate and protect African cultural traditions.
