Weaving through Islam in Senegal

Introduction to the weaving workshops of Thiès and Ndem: Social relationships and belief in Thiès and Ndem -- Weaving history from archaeology, travelogues and oral tradition -- Explanation of the study -- Book outline; 1. Beliefs, practices and innovations: Discourse and belief -- Creating and implementing beliefs -- Signification, performativity and improvisation -- Discursive and material expression; 2. Historical and contemporary religious pluralism -- Sufism in North and West Africa -- Growth of Sufism in Senegambia -- The Muridiyya and Tijaaniyya -- Catholicism and indigenous religions -- French perspectives on religious affiliations -- Historical continuities -- Valued techniques from looms to beliefs; 3. Technical perfection and innovation: Stringing the narrow loom -- Stringing the wide loom -- The search for cotton -- Discipline in weaving -- Quality of cloth -- Weaving and finishing touches -- Techniques and beliefs; 4. Islam, sorcery, and imagery in Thiès' home workshops: Spirits and religious pluralism in Thiès: Djeneba and Makhtar -- Interpreting experiences through beliefs: Binta -- Shared beliefs in specific spirits -- Religious beliefs and imagery -- Imagery as a public sign of beliefs; 5. Baye Fall spirituality and an artisanal NGO in Ndem: Rural exodus -- Community history -- Weaving lineages: the Diop family -- Artisanal and business sustainability -- Commitments to the project; 6. Conclusion: Weaving as a focal point of beliefs -- Economic realities of weaving -- Continued research.