Kuba Raffia Cloth Ceremonial Over Skirt – BUSHOONG – DR Congo

Raffia Vinifera fibers, cowry shells. Late 20th century. Approximately cm. 54 x 138 (21.25″ x 54.33″).

This piece is finely embroidered.

The Kuba (or Bakuba) peoples are famous for producing beautiful fabrics made ​​from fibers of the palm Raphia Vinifera by a long and complex process that includes the participation of men, women and children belonging to the same family. Each piece must be soaked, beaten, and then worked and scraped by hand, so as to assume its typical characteristics of fine silk-like.