Material: Raffia
People: Kuba (sub-groups; Lele & Shoowa)
Description: Kuba textiles are delicately made from raffia
fibers which are peeled from the leaves of the raffia palm
tree. These fibers are woven together using a method
known as "cut-pile," a technique in which the ends of the
raffia embroidery threads are cut very short & close to the
surface, producing a soft texture similar to velvet.
Not only
a fabric, these textiles also represent wealth, in that they
are the only cloth to be traded in the form of currency for
various goods and services:
100 cloths = bride payment to parents
100 cloths = adultery fine
100 cloths = 1 slave
10 cloths = 1 axe
20 cloths = delivery of each child
Dimensions: 27" height x 25" width