Description
African Kuba Cloth 4.56m x 56cm
Kuba textiles, were traditionally commissioned by royalty and worn or displayed for ceremonial occasions. The textiles are made of woven and dyed raffia palm fronds and feature hypnotic geometric designs mostly in shades of black and tan.
In some, the designs are stitched; in others, serpentine cutouts are appliquéd onto a raffia backing. Some are 20 feet long and meant to be worn as a wrapped unisex skirt; others are 2-foot-square panels meant to be hung on display behind a royal throne.
Kuba women decorating woven cloth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, photographed in 1970. In the past, women were the main creators of the legendary Kuba textiles.
There are two main types of Kuba cloth
Cut pile cloths (Kasai Velvet) and flat woven cloths with no pile with either embroidery or applique.
Kuba cloths display a variety of interesting features
Including patchwork, embroidery, applique and embellishments.
Historically, the Kuba Tribe of the Congo have used their cloths as skirts, wrappers, sleeping mats and even currency.
Learn more about Kuba Textiles on Wiki here
watch video of Kuba textile exhibition in Washington where they explain more about the beauty of the textiles.
Be sure to check our other African Textiles here
