Width of the Kuba cloth bag is 47cm (18.5"), length of the bag itself is 27cm (11"), the bottom is 8cm (3") and the length including the leather handle is 56cm (22"). The front popular and back are the same. I used African batik fabric (100% cotton) for the inside to give it some extra flair.
The making of Kuba or raffia cloth is a very time consuming process; Kuba men first gather the leaves of the raffia tree and then dye it by using mud and substances from the camwood tree. The men rub the raffia fibers in their hands to soften and make it easier for weaving. After the men have completed the cloth their women embroider the patterns with a few threads of raffia fibers.
There are several different groups of the Kuba people living in Congo. Each group has a different and unique way to make the fabric. Some of them make it thicker, longer, with different colours and patterns. Each pattern is symbolic and many times a piece has many different meanings. The original Kuba cloth did not have patches, but as the cloth is quite brittle it is likely that the patches were used to repair the cloth. Nowadays the Kuba people still use the cloth during ceremonial occasions and ritual dances.
The pieces I am selling are all handmade and authentic. Each bag is unique and a one of a kind piece.
Handmade items should also be expected to contain irregularities which I believe add to their character and does not detract in any way from their quality.
Product code: Kuba cloth/shoulder bag/black&red/hand woven/DR Congo/authentic/tribal/ethnic/boho /61x46cm (24x18") popular