Art Institute of Chicago

Belt (Yeemy Mambolmashet)

Kuba

Date

19th century

Medium

Jute, raffia, cowrie shells, and beads

Culture

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Department

Arts of Africa

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

In the Kuba Kingdom, ceremonial occasions require ostentatious displays of wealth and status through dress and other attributes. Specialized male artists excel in the making of beaded regalia like the belt displayed here. They sew both beads and shells onto a woven raffia foundation to create geometric designs. The interlaced pattern on this belt, called imbol , is a favorite Kuba motif that can also be seen on the raffia skirts worn with such beaded ornaments.

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