Kuba textiles are made of raffia fiber. The foundation cloth is a plain weave, woven by men on an inclined loom. The fibers are softened before weaving by rubbing and, after, by kneading and beating the cloth. The embroidery thread is also raffia, which is dyed before stitching. The embroidery process is done by women. Typically, neither the weft nor the plush is secured with knots.
This piece of raffia cloth is typical of that made by the Shoowa, a Kuba group that lives south of the Sankuru River. Its style--with an overall balanced pattern, deep plush and even lines--is what the Shoowa make for their own use, and it differs markedly from the style used on pieces made for export to other Kuba groups.
This panel is part of a group of objects collected by George and Elsie McKee, who were Presbyterian missionaries in the Congo between 1911 and 1941. This was a dramatic time of transition and change for Congolese cultures and arts.
Description:
One half of a raffia square that is embroidered with geometric patterns across the surface and hemmed along all four sides.
Provenance:
George T. McKee, collected in the Luebo region, 1911-1920 to 1980
Sarah McKee Burnside, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1980 to 1999
Published References:
Sthreshley, Katherine McKee. 1994. "Ntalasha's Treasures: Analysis of the George McKee Collection from the Kasai, Congo 1911-1941." MA thesis, Hampton University.
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