African Kuba Velvet Raffia Textile Kasai Shoowa Bushoong Zaire Congo kv411 for Sale

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African Kuba Velvet Raffia Textile Kasai Shoowa Bushoong Zaire Congo kv411 For Sale

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African Kuba Velvet Raffia Textile Kasai Shoowa Bushoong Zaire Congo kv411:
$97.00

LOVELY BAKUBA VELVET

This glorious artwork is a fine example of a Kuba velvet, about 22 x 23 inches. Since these pieces are usually asymmetrical, the measurements are approximate and meant as guides.

Kubacloth is an amazing creation of the Kuba or Bakuba peoples of Africa. It is oneof the very few fabrics which is still completely made by hand and of naturalmaterials! The Kuba people love design and ornamentation anddecorate eveneveryday objects with fantastic patterns. Their cloth is perhaps their crowningachievement.

Kubacloth is a true labor of love. It is woven from raffia strands which arecollected and prepared usually by men or boys. It is also the males who weavethe fibers into a basic fabric called "mbal." Since the raffia fibersare not connected to lengthen them, the base cloth is never very large or long,though individual pieces, once woven, may be connected. Before the decorating,women dampen and beat the cloth repeatedly until it reaches the correctfirmness or softness.

Ifthe mbal needs to be dyed, it is. Dyes come from Tukula wood, clay, iron dross,indigo, and other plants. Then women begin the patterns. They may appliqueshapes cut from other cloths to form larger patterns. They may be embroideredwith dyed raffia threads. Sections may be combined to form a patchwork look. Orany of these methods may be combined with the others. These are all usuallyfound on the longer pieces termed skirts.

Thesmaller pieces termed velvets are created by a combination of embroidery and acut pile technique. Some designs are stitched onto the cloth. But for fill, anartist will pull several strands through the base cloth with a needle, then cutthem, creating a natural pile with a knife. The fibers are not tied, but simplyheld in place by the tightness of the weave of the base cloth. The back of thepiece may bear no signs of the embroidery.

Whatmay be the most amazing fact of all, is that the artist rarely sketches herdesigns ahead of time! She works from images in her mind, many times patternsthat have been passed down for generations. They also usually have names ormeanings, honoring ancestors, copying nature, or referring to events andactions.

TheBakuba people traditionally use their fabrics for clothing (particularlyceremonial), floor and seat coverings, shrouds for the burial of an importantperson, as tribute, as dowries, and even as money. Kuba can also be framed fordisplay or hung as room decor. And it can be sewn with as well. Crafts includeplacemats, cushion covers, handbags, frames, and many other items. And clothingcreated from Kuba is unlike anything else; be prepared to be stopped constantlyand praised!