NDOP — Filer le bleu pour raconter un monde

From October 21, 2026 to February 27, 2027, Maison Gacha devotes an exhibition to ndop, the emblematic heritage textile of western Cameroon. On these indigo fabrics, the white motifs are not mere decoration: they name, protect and tell stories.

A ndop passes through dozens of hands and travels across Cameroon before it comes into being. It is spun in the north, bound with raffia in the west and dyed with indigo in Garoua. It finally returns to the west, where the bindings are undone and the motifs emerge, white on blue. Reserved for the fons, queens and dignitaries, and worn at enthronements, funerals and major rituals, ndop is presented here through an exceptional selection from the Gacha-Dumas collection: monumental ceremonial hangings, a complete initiation-society costume, beaded elephant masks and a throne with a ndop backrest.

Totemic animals, signs of royalty, cosmic motifs: its visual grammar links the world of the living to that of the ancestors. The exhibition also explores what ndop is becoming today, with fashion designs by Ly Dumas, ndop by master artisan Kamwa Simo and his workshop, and two works by Rachel Marsil, recipient of the Maison Gacha artist residency.

Guided tours, workshops for families and adults, and Le Journal du ndop, a free publication, extend the visit.

Free admission, Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am – 6 pm · 5 rue des Épinettes, 75017 Paris · maisongacha.org

RSVP – contact@maisongacha.org