Field Work to Bulamari Local Dyeing Centre, Maiduguri, Borno State.

Bulamari Dyers are the Kanuri speaking indigenes of Maiduguri, Borno State. They Specializes in the production of the Kanuri tie and dye attires, especially the Kanuri blue and black fabric known as “Dongashou”.

The findings of the survey carried out at Bulamari Dyeing Center, behind the Shehu Palace in Maiduguri, Borno State are as follows:

1. The dyers have no standard measurement for their dyes, Caustic-soda and Hydro - sulphite chemicals which is been referred to by the local dyers as Sugar and Salt are measured according to their instinct, amount paid in relation to profit and imagination of the desired result.
2. The Dyes are poured into a boiling water in the drum pot meant for dyeing and followed by the chemicals. The combination is stirred severally to make a dye solution using a long stick, the plain white fabric is then submerge and turned severally, lifting and dropping back to have an even distribution of the dye solution for plain white cotton fabric dyeing.
3. After the Dyeing process, the excess dye solution is being reduced by two men squeezing the fabric in a rotational form.
4.  The fabrics dyed are being exposed to the atmosphere for oxidation.
5. The dyed fabric are then dried for calendaring or in preparation for the second colour dyeing process for “Dongashou” fabric design.