Kuba Tcaka or Dance Skirt

Pale squares and diamonds at the top give way to a darker, grid-covered lower half.

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. 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 textile in pale grey-tan. The upper third carries scattered small squares, diamonds and motifs. The lower half has denser fine grids and darker tones, and ends in a rounded, slightly worn edge. It is 30 inches wide and 188 long.

Starts airy and ends in busy, careful lines.