Barkcloth Wallet – Uganda’s UNESCO Heritage in Your Pocket
A barkcloth wallet from Uganda is unlike any wallet you will find anywhere else in the world. Made from barkcloth – the ancient fabric produced from the inner bark of the mutuba fig tree, recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity – it carries thousands of years of Ugandan craft history in your back pocket.
Barkcloth – The World’s Oldest Fabric
Barkcloth production in Uganda is believed to date back over 700 years in the Buganda Kingdom. The fabric is made by harvesting the inner bark of the mutuba tree (Ficus natalensis), soaking it in water, and beating it for hours with wooden mallets until it expands into a soft, warm, reddish-brown textile. Remarkably, the process does not kill the tree – new bark grows back within a year.
The resulting material has a suede-like texture and a distinctive warm tone that darkens beautifully with age and use – much like fine leather.
Barkcloth Wallet Design
Modern barkcloth wallets are designed by Ugandan fashion designers who combine the traditional fabric with leather or cotton lining and metal hardware. They come in bifold and trifold styles with card slots, a note compartment, and a coin pocket. The exterior barkcloth develops a beautiful patina over time.
Some wallets feature embossed or painted gorilla and wildlife designs on the barkcloth surface, adding an extra layer of Ugandan identity.
Where to Buy
Available at Kampala design boutiques, fair-trade shops, Entebbe Airport, and craft cooperatives. Prices from $15 to $35 USD – a remarkable price for a truly one-of-a-kind sustainable wallet.