Kuba Cloths

Kuba textiles are unique to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly Zaire, for their elaboration and complexity of design and surface decoration. Most textiles are a variation on rectangular or square pieces of woven palm leaf fiber enhanced by geometric designs executed in linear embroidery and other stitches.  Kuba cloths are woven from the strands of raffia palm leaves.  Then, the men strip the leaves' fibers, dye them, and soften them by rubbing the strands between their hands. Afterward, they weave the fibers using an inclined heddle loom unique to the Kuba people.

Click on the image of the cloths to see more cloths available for viewing, where applicable.