Woman's Garment

Unknown

ca. 1900 · Raffia palm fiber (Raphia vinifera), vegetal dyes · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

In southern Côte d'Ivoire, Dida female weavers have developed a distinctive tradition of fiber creations whose aesthetic features low-relief sculptural qualities and dynamic compositions. Through a labor-intensive creative process of successive stages, extremely fine linen-like fabrics are produced from raffia-palm fibers that are interlaced and tie-dyed. Apparel composed from these precious and costly fabrics were owned only by the privileged elite to be worn on important occasions. Tubular garments were designed as loincloths, bound in the back with the help of a waistband and drawn forward through the legs and hung over the waistband so that the fringe covered the lower front part of the body.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1900

Medium

Raffia palm fiber (Raphia vinifera), vegetal dyes

Culture

Dida peoples

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

Purchase, William B. Goldstein Gift, 2009