Kuba cloth of raffia, handmade in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Men weave the base fabric from raffia palm leaves, which makes the cloth stiff. Women then soften and decorate the fabric by pounding it, sewing on appliqué, and embroidering patterns. Historically, large, elaborate cloths were worn as wraparound skirts by nobility in the Kuba Tribe. The complexity of the design showed the wearer’s wealth and rank in the community.
