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
10 cloths = 1 axe
20 cloths = delivery of each child
Dimensions: 25" height x 24 1/4" width