Kuba Tcaka or Dance Skirt

Deep red cloth dotted with pale ovals, bordered by a tiny checkerboard edge.

This tcaka or dance skirt is Kuba, from Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is applique raffia. Kuba cloth comes from the Kuba Kingdom in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where men and women work side by side to make cloths that carry a great deal of symbolism. Long narrow textile in dark red-brown with rows of small pale ovals and dashes, edged on both sides with fine black and cream checks. The lower end is cut straight and the surface is softly rumpled. It is 26 inches wide and 234 long.

A starry night in red, with checkered trim.