KUBA LONG PANELS, DRC

This special wrap, made from raffia, was worn outside, or on top of, the long dance dresses for added decoration and prestige. Made from raffia.

They incorporate embroidered shapes and patterns, openwork, tie-dye, tightly tufted areas and border elements. Most 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. O

n 224-229 we have included pictures of the reverse side as well, though the reverse would never have been displayed.

Several have holes or frayed areas. We have tried to identify all of these and show details of the flawed areas.

CARE: The cloth is not fragile and can be pinned onto a wall or panel for display. To eliminate wrinkles, the cloth can be misted with water, and then gently ironed on the back.