Yiriba Textiles are handwoven at Centre Yiriba from Malian cotton, naturally dyed with plants such as indigo, and crafted using traditional ikat techniques. We create scarves, towels, and fabric by the meter for clothing and interior design—each piece rooted in nature and heritage.
They are sold in boutiques in Bamako, Mali (Afrik Design, Taxi Bamako, Centre Yiriba) and Webstall Pignia, Switzerland. They are also available "sur commande" (contact Ousmane Diallo +223 76 13 17 10) and at occasional exhibitions and markets in Switzerland. And soon in our online store!
“Meilleur Tissu” Award of Mali
Journées Textiles MALIFINIW December 2025
One of our fabrics was awarded “Meilleur Tissu” at the Journées Textiles du Mali MALIFINIW 2025, presented by the Centre de Développement de l’Artisanat Textile (CDAT). The recognition was also featured on Mali’s national radio and television station ORTM – a significant moment for our weaving workshop and the country’s traditional textile craft.
The award comes with a prize of 1 million CFA, and we are thrilled!
The honored fabric was designed as a broderie by Ousmane Diallo and Stini Arn and handwoven on eight-shaft looms using plant-dyed cotton.
Nearly ten years ago, we built our first Flying-8 loom in Bamako, based on plans by German weaver Andreas Möller (@webereihamburg). It was a slow, careful process: getting the loom to work, producing the first fabric, successfully experimenting with ikat techniques and plant dyes, establishing the Centre Yiriba, and gradually creating ever more beautiful textiles.
ApprenTISSAGE
An apprenticeship for fabric weaving, dying cotton with plants and building Flying8-looms developed by German weaver Andreas Möller. Since 2016 at Centre Yiriba.
Graduation Ceremony of 7 Apprentices
2025 Apprentices’ Showcase
We are very proud and happy that the first apprentices at Centre Yiriba in Bamako, Mali, have received their diplomas after six months of training in weaving and fabric design. The program was generously funded by the A-Bulletin Foundation.
Unfortunately, due to the current instability in Mali, I was unable to attend in person and, for the first time in 20 years of traveling to Mali, had to postpone my trip to January, hoping that the situation will have calmed by then. Thanks to FaceTime, I was still able to join the celebration and give a speech in French – even though the video was rotated 90°.
The situation is deeply concerning. The graduates could only attend the ceremony if they had enough money or luck to obtain fuel to get there.
We thank you for reading, for your support, and for your connection to Webstall Pignia and Yiriba Textile.
Handcraft without electricity: All weaving is done entirely by hand – in a country where electricity is often scarce and unreliable.
Fabrics of Hope
Crowdfunding 2020
This Crowdfunding campaign ended on December 4, as all the Merci scarves have been claimed!
We are incredibly grateful for your generosity — you far exceeded our expectations! Instead of the planned 3,800 CHF, we received almost 7,500 CHF to support the ApprenTISSAGE program.
Thank you to all our supporters! Merci! Inicé! You have filled us with joy and hope!
Mali is one of Africa’s largest cotton producers, yet most cotton fabrics are imported. In our atelier in Bamako, we value local cotton. We dye it with plants and weave it into fabric. This creates jobs, but also a space for shared learning, fostering a future full of creative insights and opportunities.
The ApprenTISSAGE Project
In 2016, Stini Arn and Ousmane Diallo built the first Flying-8 loom (*) and began weaving. At the start of 2020, the Centre Yiriba was founded, which now hosts both the weaving workshop ApprenTISSAGE and the weekly Atelier Yiriba for children. In the garden, plants are grown that are also used to dye yarns and fabrics.
Goal of the Crowdfunding
Our newly founded Association Ateliers Yiriba needs support for ApprenTISSAGE to pay monthly salaries of 200 CHF for five months to three apprentice weavers: Ousmane Diallo, Salimata Kanabaye, and Batoma Mallé. Two annual salaries for Kassim 2koka were already generously covered by two Swiss donors until the end of 2021.
Additionally, the association requires 800 CHF for materials to build another loom:
Heddles: 200 CHF
Steel: 200 CHF
Wood: 160 CHF
Welding: 100 CHF
Reed: 150 CHF
The total cost amounts to 3,800 CHF.
A Merci Scarf for You
This year, 24 unique scarves have been created — handwoven and plant-dyed. With a contribution of 100 CHF or more, you will receive one of these beautiful Merci scarves! For smaller donations, a postcard from the children of Atelier Yiriba, directly from Bamako, will be sent to you.
How to Donate
Atelier Yiriba, Zürich
IBAN: CH36 0900 0000 1516 8586 7
Please email us at atelieryiriba@stiniarn.ch with your contact details and the amount you have donated. You can select and collect your scarf in early December at Tor14, Foodcoop, Bäckerstrasse, Zürich — first come, first served! For postcards, just send us your address.
Thank you! Iniché!
We are grateful for your invaluable support and send healthy and hopeful wishes,
Stini Arn, Ousmane Diallo, Salimata Kanabaye, Kassim 2koka, Fatoumata Diallo, and the Association Ateliers Yiriba, Bamako
(*) Der Flying8- loom was developed by Andreas Möller www.weberei-hamburg.com and allows for the simple self-construction of a loom that is more ergonomic and economical than traditional looms. The Flying-8 loom was featured last year at the Museum für Gestaltung in the Social Design exhibition.
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