KUBA DESIGNS FROM CENTRAL AFRICA - CONGO
A Bakuba woman weaving a textile Kuba Textiles Kuba textiles are unique in the Democratic Republic of the Congo , formerly Zaire , for their elaboration and complexity of design and surface decoration. Most textiles are a variation on rectangular or square pieces of woven palm leaf fiber enhanced by geometric designs executed in linear embroidery and other stitches, which are cut to form pile surfaces resembling velvet. Women are responsible for transforming raffia cloth into various forms of textiles, including ceremonial skirts, ‘velvet’ tribute cloths, headdresses and basketry . Raffia Cloth In Kuba culture, men are responsible for raffia palm cultivation and the weaving of raffia cloth . Several types of raffia cloth are produced for different purposes, the most common form of which is a plain woven cloth that is used as the foundation for decorated textile production. Men produce the cloth on inclined, single-heddle looms and then use it to make their clothing and...
