Kuba Tcaka or Dance Skirt Fragment

A tan field of black line mazes, ending in a deep burgundy hem that means business.

This tcaka or dance skirt fragment is Kuba, from Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is 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. Nearly square panel covered in sprawling black line patterns of corridors, arches and zigzags on a sandy ground. A wide dark maroon band with finer curving lines runs along the bottom, and the lower edge is gently scalloped. It is 34 inches wide and 36 long.

Labyrinths for the walls, and a skirt for the labyrinths.