tangenseket

Tangenseket is a traditional textile dye and pigment described in the ethnographic fiction surrounding the Tangensek archipelago in the western seas. It is produced from the seeds of the Tangensekia, a shrub endemic to coastal scrublands of the archipelago. The dye yields a spectrum from deep indigo to near-black when used with different mordants and fibers.

The seeds are collected, dried, and ground; pigment is extracted by simmering with water or a weak alkaline solution. The color is fixed to textiles using mordants such as alum or iron, with results influenced by fiber type and temperature. The pigment is valued for lightfastness and heat stability compared to some plant-based dyes.

Tangenseket is used on cotton, wool, and silk fabrics; common methods include immersion dyeing and resist-dye techniques to create patterns.

The earliest known references date to the 15th century trade networks; production centers on several islands. A decline occurred with the spread of synthetic dyes in the 19th century, followed by revivals in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The dye remains important for ceremonial garments and sails.

Current production is mainly artisanal; concerns about plant sustainability and the genetic diversity of Tangensekia; some museums hold textiles dyed with tangenseket. See also natural dye, mordant, resist-dye.