Indigo is a particular blue pigment extracted from a variety of plants.

the most important blue-bearing species include Indigofera sp., Isatis sp., Persicaria tinctoria and Strobilanthes flaccidifolia. while the dyestuffs in each are nearly identical, the blue tones given vary widely depending on plant variety, climate, soil conditions and processing methods.

Indigodyer, Dogon-tribe, Mali, West-Africa

in the past, indigo extraction and dyeing were veiled in mystery. Even today these arts cannot be so easily explained. Traditional dyers had perhaps a less developed understanding of chemistry but they posessed a deeper understanding of nature and these complicated procese. Many of the old techniques of indigo preparation are no longer implemented, few search out the knowlege of the last remaining masters. in those places where indigo production and colouring are still practiced, one finds more and more the addition of synthetic dyes and cheap industrial process. a part of our world's artistic heritage and knowlege of the natural world is in danger of being lost forever.