Kuba Shoowa Dance Skirt

Mazes in black, laid on a field the color of dry grass.

Kuba weavers of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, made this Shoowa dance skirt in raffia in the 20th century. Raffia cloths of this type are commonly worn at the waist for ceremony and dance. The tan center panel is worked in a lattice of lozenges. Along each side runs a border of interlocking black and cream stepped lines, a hallmark of Kuba pattern making. The ends hang in loose lengths.

About 60 inches long and 22 inches wide. Hang it long and let the pattern do the talking.