Kuba Raffia – BUSHOONG – Kasai Velvet – DR Congo

Raffia Vinifera fibers. 1960′. Approximately cm. 55,0 x 130,0  (21.65 x 51.18 inches).

The Kuba (or Bakuba)

The Kuba (or Bakuba) peoples are famous for producing beautiful fabrics (Ntchaks) ​​from fibers of the palm Raphia Vinifera. It is tough material, difficult to work with. It is soaked for weeks, then it is kneaded, in order to soften the threads. This lengthy process, as well as the weaving was done by men – whereas the embroidery and other sorts of embellishments were done by women.

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