Click on an image to a larger image and a detail.
There are more panels on KUBA SKIRT PANELS 1 PAGE (10-46)
There are more panels on KUBA SKIRT PANELS 2 PAGE (47-86)
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Photographs © Tim Hamill
KUBA, NGEENDE DANCE DRESS PANELS 3, DRC
Kuba skirts, Tcaka, long are cloths made from raffia, from 8 - 25 feet long, from the Ngeende, Bushoong and Ngongo peoples. They incorporate appliqued "patches", embroidered shapes and patterns, openwork, tie-dye, cowrie shells, barkcloth and border elements. The appliqued "patches" originally repaired holes, then developed into traditional design motifs. .All are covered with geometric symbols; many are restrained, subtle and rhythmic designs using one technique; others create amazing quilt-like assemblages of old pieces of many forms. The full skirts are worn bunched up and wrapped around many times. The exhibit also includes smaller, ornate pieces and individual panels from the large skirts.They were sewn together for ceremonial dress and covered royal stools. As a sign of status and to provide for the afterlife they were buried with kings or those fortunate enough to own many.
The long cloths were wrapped around many times and worn as a skirt or dress. These are single panels of such a dress wrap. We have many full-length skirts in our gallery, but it is difficult to photograph the full length. We'll try to get some on the site soon.
CARE: The cloth is not fragile and can be pinned onto a wall or panel for display, or framed like a work on paper. To eliminate wrinkles, the cloth can be misted with water, and then gently ironed on the back.
GO TO KUBA SKIRT PANELS 1 PAGE (10-46)
GO TO KUBA SKIRT PANELS 2 PAGE (47-86)
RETURN TO AFRICAN TEXTILES PAGE
GO TO KUBA BARKCLOTH TEXTILES PAGE 3
GO TO KUBA BARKCLOTH TEXTILES PAGE 4
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