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Image of African cloth robe and hat worn by Reverend Dr. Samuel B. McKinney, ca. 1970s
2017.66.4
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Image of African cloth robe and hat worn by Reverend Dr. Samuel B. McKinney, ca. 1970s
2017.66.4_detail
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African cloth robe and hat worn by Reverend Dr. Samuel B. McKinney, ca. 1970s

As a civil rights leader and pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney was a leader within Seattle’s Black community and a visible public figure. He was conscious of the meaning behind his clothing and dressed to celebrate his identity. This ensemble, made of adinkra cloth from Ghana, combines a recognizably African textile with a classic church robe design. Adinkra refers to the symbols—each has a distinct meaning. The main repeating symbol signifies spiritual strength and the removal of evil. The cloth was sewn into a robe in Seattle by local designer Flo Wells.
ID Number: 2017.66.4
Date: Circa 1970-1990
Creator(s): Wells, Flo, Designer
Physical Description: 1 Robe; cotton, synthetic fiber; Robe: 54.5 in.H x 22 in.W, Hat: 2.75 in.H x 7.25 in.Diam
Credit: MOHAI, 2017.66.4
Subjects: Black/African American, Clothing and Dress, Religion and Spirituality, Civil Rights

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