Blankets and Covers of the Sahel

The Sahel, where most Fulani live, is an arid region south of the Sahara. The area reaches both extreme heat during the day and also can get very cold at night. Throughout this area wool or cotton blankets and cover cloths are used both for warmth in the cold nights and as protection against mosquitoes. Mande speaking weavers (Mande, Bamana, Maninka, Mandingo, Yarse, etc) would seem to be the most widespread and influential producers of these cloths, but distinctive types are also made by the Fulani (Peul), Hausa, and Dogon among others. All utilize a weft faced weave structure, producing bands of designs across the cloth strips. This appears to be an ancient technique in the area as it is used on Tellem textile fragments dating back to the C11th &12th

found in Bandiagara, Mali. Through the twentieth century some cloths, such as Fulani kaasa and arkila, continued to be woven in long established designs, while many other new styles developed to make vivid and inventive use of the full range of imported dyed cotton that became available.
Fragment of a rare and beautiful type of Fulani wedding blanket called an "arkilla jenngo". These spectacular cloths of up to 6 or more metres length were woven only by a few Maabuube (the sub-group weaving clan or the Fulani) weavers primarily for use by certain noble Tuareg families. Chiefs have used Fulani blankets for centuries to line ceremonial litters, cloak important drums, and various other display purposes.

(From http://www.adire.clara.net/francophone.htm)