The Cleveland Museum of Art Special Exhibitions Gallery of Sub-Saharan African Art

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Image of <I>Man's Garment</I>, possibly early 1900s<br>Ivory Coast, Dida people <br>Raffia palm fibers <br>John L. Severance Fund 2003.89
Man's Garment, possibly early 1900s
Ivory Coast, Dida people
Raffia palm fibers
John L. Severance Fund 2003.89

Man's garment

Originally, such garments made of tie-dyed raffia fibers were worn at social events like engagements, weddings, birth celebrations, and the funerals of important people.

The cloths could also be part of a bride’s dowry or offered as compensation in dispute settlements.

In the 1990s, such family heirlooms were displayed at important official festivities, attesting to the social rank of the original owner and his or her descendants.

This rare cloth was not woven but, instead, diagonally interlaced through finger manipulation. In combining this interlaced technique and large tiedye decoration, the Dida textile style occupies a unique place in West African textile traditions.

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