Clarisse’s aim is to gain a better understanding of Ndop and its contemporary value. To this end, she travelled to Bangoulap from May 20 to 24 to meet professionals involved in preserving this textile heritage. During her stay, Clarisse had the opportunity to meet King Bahouoc, the local traditional authority, and the Foundation’s teams, who shared with her their knowledge of the meaning, symbolism and history of Ndop.
She was also received at the Espace Culturel Gacha, where she met Danilo Lovisi, Cultural Director of the Espace Culturel Gacha and the Foundation, and Simon Joussé, Cultural Project Manager at L’Espace. This exchange gave her the opportunity to ask all the questions she needed to advance her research. Danilo Lovisi shared his expertise on the valorization and safeguarding of Ndop, as well as on the initiatives taken to preserve this traditional know-how. He addressed the challenges facing the safeguarding of this traditional know-how, in particular the need to energize the international artisan network.