Dida Raffia Dance Skirt

Raffia, resist-dyed, woven as a tube. The Dida of Ivory Coast gave it a rhythm.

Dida weavers are known for tie-dyed raffia cloth, made by tubular weaving and resist-dyeing to produce bold patterns. This skirt, from the 20th century, is a dance skirt, the kind of garment worn on ceremonial occasions. It measures thirty inches by forty.

Nothing here pretends to be quiet. Hang it flat, or frame it, and let the pattern do the talking. A skirt that moved once and still seems willing to.