Kuba women decorating woven cloth, Mushenge, Congo (Democratic Republic)

The photograph depicts wives of Nyim Kot a-Mbweeky III at work on all-plush panel typical of contemporary work. They are brushing the raffia pile with the edge of the knife, which they also use to cut the pile stitches. "After the dyeing, the cloth is ready to be embroidered. Most Kuba embroidery combines on one cloth two types of decoration: stem-stitching and cut-pile or plush stitching. The equipment is simple: a needle and, for cut-pile or plush-work, a knife. The embroideress needs an enormous amount of steadiness and patience. Because of the time required, prosperous and royal men who have several wives or concubines gain an advantage in the production of decorated garments. Fine plush pieces are worked for months ad even years. the work is done intermittently, usually in the afternoons, after returning from working in the fields." [Adams Monni, 1978: Kuba Embroidered Cloth. African Arts, 12 (1), November 1978, pp.24-39]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon travelled to Africa from March 17, 1970 to July 17, 1970.