Description:

African Kuba Cloth ceremonial textile, rafia and sisal with pom pom fringe, DR Congo.
Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kuba, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A lengthy woven cloth panel made from raffia palm leaves with a pompom trim. Used as a ceremonial skirt that was wrapped many times around the wearer. Individual patchwork panels sewn together, the long edges have a pom-pom fringe. The patterns are symbolic of an individual's social and marital status, or character, and chieftains often created and wore their own unique patterns as a legacy emblem to mark his reign. The making of such a textile is a laborious team effort: traditionally the cloth is woven by Kuba men on a single heddle loom using raffia-tree leaves and hand-dyed using mud, indigo, or the powdered bark of the camwood tree. Next, they are embroidered by women and children, and cut for the pile texture.

  • Dimensions: 163 1/2"H x 29"W

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January 25, 2025 11:00 AM EST
Indianapolis, IN, US

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