10.5ft African Kuba Raffia Cloth Fabric, Natural Woven Handmade

10.5ft African Kuba Raffia Cloth Fabric, Natural Woven Handmade.

A stunning hand-stitched textured fabric from the fiber of the Raffia Vinifera Palm in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Production of these textiles is a multistage process that involves the participation of both women and men. The process includes gathering and preparing the raffia fibers for weaving and embroidery, weaving the basic cloth unit, dyeing the embroidery fibers, and embellishing the woven cloth with embroidery, applique, patchwork, and dye. Embroided cloth works are individually conceptualized and the patterns have been named and passed on through generations.

The designs are elaborate and complex often showing rectangles and square patterns. The fabric is also used for ceremonial gifts in particular to royalty and some patterns resemble wealth & status.

Size is 127 inches by 23 inches (10.5ft by 1.91ft)