The Escargot wax print: “the snail comes out of its shell,” name, history, and meaning
Here is one of the most beautiful stories of wax. Originally, this design was meant to represent a sacred bird from Indonesia, the birthplace of batik, which inspired wax. But once it arrived in the markets of West Africa, no one saw a bird. Ghanaians saw a bunch of bananas; Togolese saw a snail coming out of its shell. It was their perspective that gave the fabric its name.
The Escargot fabric in brief
- Type: a wax fabric, wax-printed cotton.
- Names: Congo kpatrè, "the snail shells" in mina (Togo); "the snail comes out of its shell" in Côte d'Ivoire; Escargot in French.
- Origin of the design: a bird from Indonesia, renamed by the African gaze.
- Family: the "time to eat!" fabrics.
- Symbolism: daring to come out of your shell, the patience that takes you far.
A bird that became a snail
Wax was born from the imitation of Indonesian batik by European manufacturers in the 19th century. The first designs often featured Javanese motifs: flowers, birds, ornaments. This one represented an iconic bird of Indonesia. Arriving in West Africa, it was looked at with different eyes, those of people who did not know this bird but knew their markets very well.
- In Ghana, they saw a bunch of bananas.
- In Togo, a snail coming out of its shell, and the fabric became Congo kpatrè, "the snail shells".
This story perfectly summarizes the spirit of wax: it is not the factories that give meaning to the fabrics, it is the women who buy, sell, and wear them.
"The snail comes out of its shell"
In Côte d'Ivoire, this fabric is said to be: "the snail comes out of its shell". The image is striking. The snail, usually hidden and cautious, finally dares to show itself. Wearing this fabric means saying that you are coming out of your reserve, that you are taking your place, that you are no longer hiding. A beautiful way to celebrate a young woman asserting herself, a new beginning, or a first outing after giving birth.
The snail, a delicacy
The traders of Cotonou place this fabric in the "time to eat!" family. In West Africa, especially in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, large forest snails, achatina, are highly appreciated: they are cooked in sauce, grilled, or roasted, and they sell for a high price in the markets. A fabric with snails is therefore also a fabric of good food. For other gourmet fabrics, discover the Shrimp and the Peanuts.
What the Escargot fabric says
- Boldness: coming out of your shell, daring to show yourself.
- Patience: the snail goes slowly, but it always arrives.
- Protection: its shell is its home, which it carries everywhere.
- Gourmandise: a festive dish in West Africa.
Wax fabrics and their names
To discover the history of wax, from Java to the markets of Lomé, read our article on the history of wax and the language of fabrics.
Our tribute: Kpatrè, the Escargot
At KEMI HOME ART, our ochre and brown striped shells wrap around our coffee cups and their saucers. Each motif is prepared in our workshop in Alfortville, then placed and glazed by hand before firing, to order.
All our pieces are customizable: color, first name, date, or message. Write to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Escargot fabric mean?
"The snail comes out of its shell": daring to show yourself, taking your place. It also evokes patience.
What did the design originally represent?
An iconic bird from Indonesia, which the Togolese saw as a snail and the Ghanaians as a bunch of bananas.
What is it called in Togo?
Congo kpatrè, "the snail shells", in mina.