These special wraps were worn outside, or on top of, the long dance dresses for added decoration and prestige. The central area is barkcloth, made by beating a layer from just under the tree bark until it is thin and pliable. Numbers 1-11 are painted in typically Kuba geometric abstract patterns, similar to those on their barkcloth dance costumes. Numbers 12-15 are quilted from small triangular pieces. One end, usually, and the two sides are embellished with raffia borders, which can be quilted, embroidered, tufted, tie-dyed or tasseled.
CARE: The cloth is not fragile and can be pinned onto a wall or panel for display, or framed like a work on paper.
CONDITION: This barkcloth textile has a few small holes that do not show in the photographs and several stiched tear/separations that can be barely seen crossing the colored stripes in the detail.