Materials for Dabu Dying

Mixing the lime/gum mixture with the mud mixture to create the resist

30 Mar

Dabus Dying is the application of a mixture of Lime, Acacia gum (Gum Arabic) and black mud to create a pattern with a wood block stamp that will act as a resist in the dye pot. The stamp is covered with fine sawdust so the applied pattern can be clearly seen and the sawdust acts as a protector for the gum mix during dying. In the photograph you can see the lime and acacia gum mix having the mud mix added. The sods of mud have been soaked for two days to insure they are completely softened and integrated with the water.

When I spoke to the owner of the Dabu dying facility he was impressed that I can from Waitomo - a high lime area and reinforced that I should listen carefully and take the skills home to practice in New Zealand so the craft will not be lost

since returning home I have discovered that Acacia gum is gum Arabic that is used in thickening dyes and inks in many applications. I have also found that guar gum or xanthum gum might be a suitable substitute. They are readily available, less expensive and require a smaller amount of gum to create the thickening effect. The black mud used, according to my research is black due to ferrous deposits from reduced water flushing so now I can hardly wait to get to the beach and see if I can find some river mud that is black and semi liquid