Democratic Republic of Congo
Kuba

Raffia, fabric
Mid 20th century
Length: 23 in; Width: 22.75 in; Depth: 0.125 in
Other – Ritual Symbolism

This kasaï velvet cloth made from raffia palm leaves, is a kind of textile fabric made in Kasai, a province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaïre). The raffia fabric with classic black and white (tan) geometric patterns is heavy and expensive and is not intended to be worn but is used as a bed covering or placed on the royal throne. Traditionally the cloth is woven by men of the Shoowa of the Kuba ethnic group, on a single heddle loom using raffia-tree leaves and hand-dyed using mud, indigo, or the powdered bark of the camwood tree. Next, they are embroidered by women and children to create either an uncut or a cut-pile appearance. Interweaving of fine fibers creates the “velvet” texture of these cloths.  These clothes are used as currency or given as gifts.