Weaving a narrow raffia palm mat

Nafana mat weaver (deŋglɛ tinfun) Alexander Owusu weaves a narrow raffia palm mat (dɛŋglɛ) for purposes of demonstration. The in-progress mat is wrapped around a raffia palm petiole stick (gbandaa kaan) and strands on its working edge hang down in front of him as he sits on a chair. He begins a new pass by adding to the mat's vertical selvage, then adds rows using a "3-star" technique with three warp strands wrapped on his left forefinger, against which he lays a weft strand before initiating a fold sequence. Speaking Nafaanra, he talks about his process of finishing a mat and how mats were used for sleeping and burial. Sabiye, Banda District, Ghana.