Tissu raphia "mbal" (pl. "bilaam") ·  R. D. Congo, Kuba-Shoowa · ID: 3045832

Description

raffia palm fibre, fine fabric with embroidery and velvet (“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.