Dida Raffia Dance Skirt

Tie it. Bind it. Dye it. Let go. What you have left is a texture nobody could have planned.

The Dida of Ivory Coast are known for tubular raffia garments patterned that way, so the fibres keep a crinkled, sculptural look once released. This dance skirt, 20th century, is gathered into rows of tightly puckered ridges. Bands and blocks of rust orange, golden tan and deep brown alternate down the length, and a row of round, ringed motifs appears near the top.

The lower edge dissolves into a long, loose fringe of twisted fibres. About forty inches long.

It seems to be in motion even when it hangs still.