Raffia weaving "mbal" (pl. "bilaam") ·  D. R. Kongo, Kuba-Shoowa · ID: 3048576

Description

raffia palm fibre, stem stitch and cut-pile embroidery (“Kasai plush”)

Raffia cloth was used as currency throughout Central Africa. This assocation with value or wealth is still attributed to raffia textiles, especially those that are extensively decorated, just like the present example.