Kuba Tcaka or Dance Skirt with Arrow Motifs

Patchwork in a quiet earth palette, where every block keeps its own small argument.

This tcaka or dance skirt with arrow motifs is Kuba, from Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is embroidered & applique raffia. Abstract geometric designs on the cloth act as a visual language valued across Kuba society, and some say it grew from scarification patterns, crop patterns or even divine intervention. Strip assembled from many rectangular panels in tan, gray and umber, each carrying a different dense geometric pattern. The upper half looks darker and more weathered, while a smooth plain section closes off the bottom. It is 36 inches wide and 248 long.

A committee of squares that somehow reached agreement.