Kuba Bushoong Barkcloth Panel

Stepped diamonds and zigzag borders march down this strip, held by pale stitches.

This Bushoong barkcloth panel from the Kuba peoples is Kuba, from Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is pounded & woven bark, pigment & raffia. Barkcloth is made by soaking and pounding the inner bark of certain trees until the fibers spread into a flexible sheet that can be dyed and decorated. Presenting a rectangular piece with a large central pattern of nested diamonds in cream and black and a dotted triangle field at the top. Brown edges are sewn on with visible light stitches. The ends are ragged. It is 15 inches wide and 38 long.

All angles, all the way down.