Woman's ceremonial skirt c. 20th century

textile

natural stone pattern

naturalistic pattern

textile

animal print

geometric pattern

tile art

abstract pattern

organic pattern

wooden texture

layered pattern

organic texture

This ceremonial skirt from the Kuba people, dating back to the 20th century, is a remarkable example of traditional textile art. The skirt is adorned with intricate geometric patterns, created through the "raphia" technique, where raffia fibers are woven into the fabric to create raised lines. This piece, now in the Minneapolis Institute of Art collection, demonstrates the Kuba people's artistry and their rich cultural heritage.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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In Kuba society, the process of making textiles is as important as the finished textiles themselves. This elaborately decorated raffia skirt symbolizes concepts of cooperation, interdependency, and familial responsibilities. The embroidery of a woman’s skirt is usually a group effort, with several women within the lineage contributing one or more sections, so the work represents a wide variety of skill levels and artistic interpretations. The finished skirt was owned by a high-ranking woman of the lineage, who would wear it on ceremonial occasions, especially funerals.