The starch used for designing in adire-eleko is boiled with

The starch used for designing in adire-eleko is boiled with white alum. Adire-eleko is a traditional textile art form in Nigeria that involves using a resist-dyeing technique to create intricate and beautiful patterns on fabric. The resist is made by applying a starchy paste to the fabric in specific areas, which protects those areas from the dye. To create the starchy paste, starch is mixed with water and boiled to create a thick consistency. White alum is added to the mixture during the boiling process. White alum is a chemical compound that helps to create a firmer and more durable resist. It also helps the paste to adhere better to the fabric. Once the paste has been made, it is applied to the fabric using various tools, such as stencils, brushes, or stamps. The fabric is then dyed, and the areas covered by the paste resist the dye, resulting in the creation of the desired pattern. In summary, white alum is added to the starch mixture used to make the resist paste for adire-eleko to create a stronger and more durable resist.