Utilization Of Colourants From The Vernonia Amygdalina Plant In Wall Tapestry

ABSTRACT

This research utilizes colourants from the Vernonia amygdalina (V. amygdalina) plant in an artistic wall tapestry project that drew inspiration from moral lessons found in Bukusu children narratives. The research was based on Loum and Lukyambuzi (2013) study that was done in Uganda and which utilized only one variety of V. amygdalina plant on cotton fabric. Loum‟s study obtained positive results as it confirmed that that plant was polygenetic. This research assumed that dyes extracted from the leaves of different varieties of V. amygdalina found in Western, Nyanza, and Central Rift valley regions in Kenya would also be polygenetic. The research aimed at first establishing what varieties of V. amygdalina are available in the Kenyan regions, and then establish the range of colourants the dyed plants would yield with sisal and wool fibres. The colourants obtained were of a wide range. All the mordants used namely (Ferrous Sulphate) iron; (Potassium Aluminum Sulphate) alum and (Potassium Dichromate) chrome were applied on yarn using post-mordanting method and yielded the expected range of colours namely green, yellow and brown respectively which were of dark, middle and light tones. This confirmed that the Kenyan varieties of V. amygdalina are polygenetic. The obtained colours were then applied in an artistic wall tapestry project. The results of this research should contribute to the Kenyan dyeing industry by providing newer and more ecofriendly sources of natural dyestuffs as the dyestuffs produce a wide variety of colours using different natural fibres.