The word “Kuba” means “lighting” referring to the blades that were once used by Kuba warriors.
Kuba cloth also known as Velvet tapestry or Shoowa are hand-woven into complex geometric patterns using the strands from raffia palm leaves. The raffia strands are dyed in a variety of earth tones using vegetables dyes. These textiles are unique in the region of Kasaï, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

Made with extreme care by Kuba women as family dowries and wealth, these “ tapestries” are one of the most extraordinary
Congolese decorative art.