Woman's Ceremonial Underskirt

Kuba peoples

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Historically, the Kuba textiles tradition constitute a emblem of prestige, rank, and political status. Among the Kuba and related peoples, textiles were formerly used as a form of currency, and elaborately embroidered and decorated overskirts continue to be worn on important ceremonial occasions. At funerals of important leaders, textiles are displayed as ample testimony to the wealth and prestige of the deceased. The production of Kuba textiles draws upon both male and female creativity: men act as weavers of cloths which women painstakingly embroider. While abstract, each pattern and design motif is given an evocative name whose meaning is significant to the wearer though infrequently revealed to outsiders.

Woman's Ceremonial Underskirt, Raffia palm fiber, Kuba peoples

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