Kuba Tcaka or Dance Skirt

Thin ink-like lines draw squares, arrows and spirals across a soft cream field.

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. Because the cloth is built from separate squares, they can be separated and recombined into new compositions, then backed and hung on a wall much like a tapestry. Long textile in cream and tan, with fine dark lines forming squares, arrows, spirals and small circles in stacked sections. A center seam divides the length and the surface is gently creased. It is 30 inches wide and 155 long.

Light on color, crowded with small ideas.