Dida Raffia Dance Skirt

Raffia tied, dyed and untied. The knots left their shadows behind.

This dance skirt is Dida, from Ivory Coast, West Africa, made in the 20th century of dyed raffia. Dida women are known for weaving raffia into seamless tubes, then tie-dyeing them in reds, browns and yellows for garments worn at dances and ceremonies. Rows of small yellow ovals run across a rust and brown ground, breaking into blocks of denser ribbing near the bottom. Two openings sit near the top, and twisted cords trail from the hem in uneven lengths. Twenty-four inches wide and 36 long.

Order up top, mischief at the hem.