Kuba Tcaka or Dance Skirt

Two wide red stripes run down a finely patterned tan cloth like racing lines.

This tcaka or dance skirt is Kuba, from Democratic Republic of Congo, 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. Long textile with tan sections covered in dense fine patterns, interrupted by two broad vertical bands of dark red with small dark marks. The lower end is straight and the edges show soft wear. It is 36 inches wide and 253 long.

Fine print on the outside, bold stripes down the middle.